Khaled dismisses claim of calls for Zahid to step down as Umno chief

KOTA TINGGI: Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has dismissed talk that there is a move to demand that Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi step down as Umno president after the party failed to secure a full pardon for Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The Umno vice-president was asked to comment on a letter, supposedly signed by division leaders, asking for Ahmad Zahid to step down.

"Even if there is such a letter, the president will not be removed. So what is the need to sign any letter as there is no such move," he added.

Khaled, who is also the Defence Minister and Kota Tinggi MP, said this after visiting a former army officer at Taman Aman here on Sunday (Feb 4).

He added that the meeting between Ahmad Zahid and party division leaders was to explain current issues, especially the Pardons Board decision to reduce the sentence for Najib.

"The Umno supreme council has already held its meeting and made the decision to continue fighting for Najib," he said.

On Saturday (Feb 3), the Umno supreme council had a two-hour meeting chaired by Ahmad Zahid to discuss the Pardons Board decision to reduce the sentence imposed on Najib.

In a statement on Saturday, the supreme council said it respected the Pardons Board decision but would continue the fight to ensure Najib is released from prison.

On Friday (Feb 2), the Pardons Board announced that it had decided to commute Najib's jail term from 12 years to six, with a release date of Aug 23, 2028, and to reduce his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil.