Zahid: No plans to name Khairy as Opposition Leader

Zahid (left) and Khairy.

KUALA LUMPUR: There are no immediate plans to name Khairy Jamaluddin the Opposition Leader in Parliament, says newly elected Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"I had a discussion with Khairy earlier today (Sunday) on the role that he is to play in mainstream organisation but we did not discuss the role of opposition chief as this is for the elected MPs to decide," he told reporters at a press conference.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the post is usually reserved for party presidents.

"Usually the Opposition leader is appointed from those who are elected as party president.

"In this case, I would like to discuss the matter with PAS and other MPs on who would be the leader of the Opposition in Parliament," he added.

He said the matter would be brought up at the pre-council meeting soon as Parliament is scheduled to sit for the first time this July 16 following GE14.

On a separate matter, Dr Ahmad Zahid said that Umno has written to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to unfreeze the party headquarters' bank account.

"We are appealing to the MACC for leeway to release some money from the party headquarters' bank account to pay the salaries of staff, rental and overheads," he added.

He said this was to ensure that the financial welfare of staff with families is safeguarded.