Ismail Sabri went to perform umrah, don’t spin any ‘Madinah move’, says aide

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was in the Middle East to perform the umrah, says his special officer Affifi Aris.

He said in a Facebook post on Sunday (Dec 31) that the Bera MP performed his umrah and returned to Malaysia in a direct flight from Saudi Arabia.

“It was a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur-Madinah/Jeddah(without any stops),” he said.

Affifi added that Ismail had also bumped into Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi there, as the two were part of the same prayer congregation.

“Don’t construe it as a Madinah move. I hope there won’t be any nonsensical stories with fictitious theories involving my boss,” he said.

Affifi added that he has seen how busy Ismail Sabri was with various activities and programs after his tenure as the prime minister ended.

“To those in the government, fulfill your responsibility with confidence that the mandate given to the government is strong. Implement your promises so that the unity government will be well received by the people,” he said.

“ Those harboring the ambition to return to Putrajaya, political luck will never end up at the wrong address but don’t step and kill our own brothers for your own political ambition,” added Affifi.

On Saturday (Dec 30), Community Communications Department deputy director-general Datuk Ismail Yusop claimed that a plot is being organised by Perikatan Nasional leaders and government backbenchers who are vacationing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to Ismail, a meeting took place during the visit to assign specific tasks to “agents” responsible for identifying MPs who may want to switch their support to the opposition.