Jalaluddin Alias, the Jelebu MP, said their action in signing the statutory declaration (SD) to support the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman was made in accordance with Umno’s narrative at the time.

“When the party made the decision to back the unity government, we (10 of us) pulled back our SDs (for Muhyiddin) in accordance with the party’s decision.

“I don’t see this as backstabbing or betraying the party,” he said when met at the Umno general assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

Yesterday, Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi revealed that the 10 who supported Muhyiddin (besides Jalaluddin) were Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong), Hasni Mohammad (Simpang Renggam), Wee Ka Siong (Ayer Hitam), M Saravanan (Tapah), Wee Jeck Seng (Tanjung Piai), Isam Isa (Tampin), Adnan Abu Hassan (Kuala Pilah), Arthur Joseph Kurup (Pensiangan) and Abdul Rahman Mohamad (Lipis).

Jalaluddin said he could only be considered a traitor had he contested against BN in GE15 or if he had continued to support Muhyiddin after Umno and BN decided to join the unity government.

Jalaluddin said he had helped BN win and he had later pulled back his support for Muhyiddin.

“I contested under the BN ticket. When the party made its decision (to support the unity government), we followed suit.

“If we had still held on to our stance (to support Muhyiddin) after the decision was made, then it would be a betrayal of the party,” he said.