Stop spreading quit rumours, say ministers

KUALA LUMPUR: Two ministers in the spotlight over talk that they planned to quit in protest of the government’s handling of the 1MDB issue have denied any intention to resign.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hisham­muddin Hussein blamed such talk on people who wanted to split Umno.

“If you believed all the ‘spin’ in the past few days, then many ministers should have quit already, including the Deputy Prime Minister who was supposed to resign last night.

“None of it happened. There is so much untruth being spread on social media.

“Yet when we show it is not true, the media latches on to yet anotherlie, so please check with us,” Hishammuddin said.

The minister’s recent tweets in response to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s purported “ultimatum” that Cabinet members who disagreed with the government’s handling of 1MDB should resign, had created a stir.

In one of the tweets, Hishammuddin stated that he “agreed” on three conditions.

“When I tweeted ‘I agree’, it did not mean that I agreed to resign but that I agree with the PM that if anyone of us does not agree with the government’s rationalisation, then they should resign.”

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal (pic) also dismissed rumours of quitting.

“I have no intention of quitting. Why should I quit for raising issues in the interest of the nation and the people?” he said.

Shafie said he was just asking for clarity on the issue so it could be explained to the people.

“But some construed this as a difference in opinion and even criticism (against the leadership). It is normal to agree or disagree.

On the briefing for ministers on 1MDB organised by the Finance Ministry, Hishammuddin said the atmosphere during the session was “positive” and that the briefing was needed as the issue was complex.

“You cannot get the Cabinet meeting to discuss this and decide in just one hour or so.”

Hishammuddin said the Cabinet was also informed that the Auditor-General’s initial report on 1MDB would be issued at the end of this month.