Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he did not believe the media would simply report things that were not said as they operated according to certain ethics.

“I have more faith in the media. I always support the media.

“So I believe all of you from the various media, be it mainstream or social media, I believe you all have ethics.

“You will not report what is not said. Like today, you will all report what I say, surely you will not write things I did not say,” he told reporters during an event at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK).

Ismail said even though he did not hear Nizar’s speech, he believed what the media reported.

The Umno Supreme Council member was asked to comment on Nizar’s statement that his speech had been taken out of context by the media.

Nizar, the former Perak Menteri Besar has come under criticism after saying the Kuala Kangsar by-election was “divine intervention” to teach BN a lesson for overthrowing his administration in the state back in 2009.

The by-election was triggered after Wan Mohammad was killed in a helicopter crash in Sarawak last month.

Nizar has since apologised to Wan Mohammad’s family and widow, Mastura Yazid, who will be contesting in the by-election.