Ismail Sabri explains reason for radio silence

KUALA LUMPUR - Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob finally broke silence after refraining from comments recently.

After the 15th General Election (GE15) concluded, a few controversies surfaced linking Ismail Sabri to certain movements.

However, throughout this period, the Umno deputy president opted to remain silent and refrained from meeting with the media.

After the 2022 Umno general assembly ended earlier, Ismail Sabri came forward to explain the rationale behind his action.

"It feels like this is the first time I'm meeting the media after GE15. I did not make any statements before, fearing I would be misunderstood as there were already various speculations.

"There were also rumours about me involved in the 'London Move' when I was vacationing in Dubai. So I thought (at that time) to wait until the situation is calmer before speaking out.

'We held the 2022 Umno general assembly (then met with the media after) because priority lies in strengthening the party," he said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Center (WTCKL) here on Saturday.

After GE15, Ismail Sabri was seen to become silent, despite allegations linking him to a group opposed to his own leader.

Meanwhile, when asked if he would defend his position in the elections come May, Ismail Sabri insisted that it was still too early to answer.