Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has rejected rumors that there is a push to demand the resignation of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Umno president following the party’s failure to secure a complete pardon for Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The Umno vice-president was asked to respond to a letter, purportedly signed by division leaders, calling for Ahmad Zahid to step down. “Even if there is such a letter, the president will not be ousted. So what is the purpose of signing any letter as there is no such effort,” he said.
Khaled, who also serves as Defence Minister and Kota Tinggi MP, made this statement after visiting a former army officer at Taman Aman on Sunday (Feb 4).
He also added that the meeting between Ahmad Zahid and party division leaders was aimed at discussing current issues, particularly the Pardons Board’s decision to reduce Najib’s sentence. “The Umno supreme council has already convened and decided to continue fighting for Najib,” he said.
On Saturday (Feb 3), the Umno supreme council held a two-hour meeting chaired by Ahmad Zahid to discuss the Pardons Board’s decision to reduce Najib’s sentence. In a statement on Saturday, the supreme council expressed its respect for the Pardons Board decision but vowed to continue the battle to ensure Najib is released from prison.
On Friday (Feb 2), the Pardons Board announced its decision to reduce Najib’s jail term from 12 years to six, with a release date of August 23, 2028, and to decrease his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil.
