In an ad-hoc press conference, the veteran Umno politician, better known as Ku Li, said he was not the author of the SD, nor did he have any knowledge of its existence.

“I saw it on Facebook, it looks like a letter, rather than an SD.”

Ku Li was referring to a purported SD which Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong had posted on his Facebook on Monday, allegedly endorsing Ku Li as prime minister.

The document states the loss of confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Razak and calls for his resignation and recommending Ku Li for the post.

It was aimed at debunking a statement by Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman who said that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was “spreading tales” that Ku Li and several other Umno lawmakers were plotting to unseat Najib via a no-confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat.

In the same press conference, the Kelantan prince also denied being a turncoat, saying many had overreacted over the “Kelantan Declaration.”

Ku Li had last week signed the “Kelantan Declaration”, which had voiced support for Najib’s administration. It was seen as a counter to the Citizens’ Declaration, the brainchild of former premier and Najib’s chief critic, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I was never part of any movement to begin with, so how can you accuse me of switching sides?

“Declarations like the one I signed is common practice in politics – it’s ‘gimmicky’ and has no legal standing. So why the fuss? I’ve never changed my stance on good governance.” he said adding the document was of little value