[UPDATED] Over 100 Umno chiefs gather for emergency meeting

KUALA LUMPUR – More than 100 Umno division chiefs are gathering at the party headquarters at Menara Dato Onn here for an emergency meeting at 11am.

It is believed to be called by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

In an invite sent out by secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, it said the meeting is to discuss a “very important matter affecting the party’s future”.

According to sources, it refers to former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s ongoing legal troubles.

Among those seen arriving were vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Sabah chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Terengganu chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, Melaka chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and Tan Sri Shahrir Samad.

Party insiders also indicated that another matter on the table is the littoral combat ship (LCS) controversy, which will impact the party’s image ahead of the general election.

This comes after three senior leaders of the party – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Najib – are implicated in the project.

Sources said these outstanding issues will impact the party’s narrative in pushing for a general election this year while senior leaders and the Supreme Council could possibly revise the timeline.

With today’s meeting expected to carry on for several hours, more division chiefs are expected to arrive at the headquarters throughout the day.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also Umno vice-president, yesterday denied that he was waiting for the conclusion of Zahid’s corruption trial before calling for a general election.

Meanwhile, Najib again took a “sumpah laknat” (religious retributive oath) that he did not know the RM42 million SRC International funds deposited into his personal accounts came from the company.

Najib’s final appeal hearing against his SRC conviction is scheduled to resume tomorrow at the Federal Court.

The prosecution in the final appeal hearing have wrapped up their submissions to the court with the defence expected to present their case tomorrow.

However, lead defence counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik informed the court last week that he would not be making any submissions. – The Vibes, August 22, 2022