Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed quashed rumours that he would be resigning from UMNO and join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

The Pulai Member of Parliament said it never crossed his mind to be a part of any other party besides UMNO.

“UMNO is my heart and soul as this is a family affair. My father, Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat was an UMNO secretary-general.

“I was shocked by the rumour which was believed to be composed by a pro-government blogger,” he said during the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) project visit programme in Kempas, today.

Nur Jazlan said several social media sites had claimed that he would be joining PKR on Monday.

He said, the person who concocted the rumour was probably uneasy with him being vocal about UMNO’s weaknesses of late.

“I am the son of one of the stalwarts who helped returned UMNO 25 years ago. UMNO is in my soul. I will never leave the party. It’s normal if I am seen to be critical of UMNO because I feel the party needs to not forget the hopes of its former leaders.

“Why would I want to join the opposition? At least UMNO and Barisan Nasional have a mission. UMNO is the backbone of the country,” he said.

He added that every criticism he made was done in the best interest of the party.