PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) did not issue an order for party leaders to reject Cabinet posts in the new government, says Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

       The party's information chief says that the report is ill-intentioned, adding that it is aimed at splitting the party.

       "I hope that all parties should refer to authentic news sources. The content of the news report (in question) is fake and without any concrete sources," he said in a brief statement on Saturday (Aug 21).

       He was responding to a news report quoting party sources that Muhyiddin wants Bersatu leaders to reject all positions in the new Cabinet as one of the party’s strategies and preparations to win the 15th general election.

       The report also pointed out that the Bersatu president had proposed the matter in a recent supreme council meeting, but said it was his personal opinion.

       Istana Negara announced on Friday the appointment of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia, replacing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after the latter’s 17 months in office.

       Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had decreed Ismail’s Sabri’s appointment following a special meeting of the Malay Rulers yesterday afternoon, which lasted two-and-a-half hours.

       The swearing-in ceremony will take place today at 2.30pm at Istana Negara.

       Prior to this, Muhyiddin had said that Perikatan Nasional's support for Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the Prime Minister is conditional upon him appointing Cabinet members who are not facing any criminal charges in court.

       “He must ensure that his Cabinet members will be composed of those with integrity, who are trustworthy and free from any criminal charges in court,” said the caretaker Prime Minister in a statement on Friday (Aug 20).