Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the former prime minister, recently traveled to the Middle East to perform the umrah, as confirmed by his special officer Affifi Aris on Facebook. Ismail Sabri made the pilgrimage and returned to Malaysia via a direct flight from Saudi Arabia, specifically from Kuala Lumpur to Madinah or Jeddah without any layovers.
Affifi also mentioned that Ismail Sabri coincidentally ran into Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during his time in the Middle East, as they were part of the same prayer congregation. Affifi urged others not to speculate about this encounter, insisting that it was not a strategic move by Ismail Sabri.
Additionally, Affifi commented on Ismail Sabri’s packed schedule after stepping down as prime minister, emphasizing the need for those in the government to carry out their duties with confidence and fulfill their promises to gain support as a unity government. He also warned against political ambition leading to harmful actions.
Furthermore, on December 30, the Community Communications Department deputy director-general Datuk Ismail Yusop raised concerns about a planned scheme by leaders of Perikatan Nasional and government backbenchers vacationing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was alleged that a meeting took place during this visit to assign tasks to “agents” responsible for identifying MPs who might be willing to switch their support to the opposition.
