Astro AWANI denies sending SMS news alert on Felcra chairman appointment

Astro AWANI has denied sending out news alerts on the appointment of Rantau Panjang UMNO division chief Datuk Abdullah Mat Yasim as the chairman of Felcra replacing Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin via short message service (SMS), today.

At about 1pm, an anonymous message quoting Astro AWANI stated that UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob issued a statement on the appointment.

Astro AWANI has since denied sending out the alert, stating that its name has been used by irresponsible quarters to spread false news which went viral via WhatsApp and on social media .

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri also denied issuing any statement on the appointment.

"This news report is completely untrue. I have never issued any statement on the matter," he wrote on Twitter.

Ismail Sabri, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, cautioned the public to not adhere to the fake news.