A staunch supporter of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has received a death threat via the Short Messaging Service (SMS).

The threat comes days after Ismail Taib - a Kubang Pasu Umno member - was assaulted by three unidentified individuals.

The 40-year-old businessman believes that the two incidents are related to his political stand and support for Mahathir.

Met at the sidelines of the Umno annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur today, Ismail said he filed a police report over the SMS with the Jitra police station in Kedah yesterday.

The SMS, which he received on Tuesday, also mentioned the name of Deputy Internal Security Minister Mohd Johari Bahrum.

The message read: "Datuk Johari Bahrum kata di KL pagi ini yang dia boleh tamatkan awak dengan belanja sikit saja. Timbalan menteri in tahulah, janganlah act."

(Johari Bahrum said in KL this morning that he can finish you off with minimal expense. You know about this deputy minister, don't be arrogant)

Johari is the Kubang Pasu Umno division chief. The division landed in the limelight when Mahathir contested to be a delegate in September.

Johari denies involvement

However, Johari when met this evening denied any involvement.

Meanwhile, Ismail said the SMS must have come from those who were unhappy with him supporting Mahathir during the delegates contest and for filing a complaint with the Umno disciplinary board regarding money politics and discrepancies in the election.

"The identity of the sender is not known ... maybe they were using a prepaid mobile phone line. I believe they want to scare me. I can't think of any other reason, I have no enemies or financial problems with anyone," he said.

Last Saturday, Ismail suffered minor injuries after he was assaulted by three men outside his house in Jitra.

Meanwhile, Johari said he was in the dark about the SMS and that anybody could use his name in the message.