Kadir Sheikh Fadzir quits Umno

Veteran Umno leader Kadir Sheikh Fadzir has submitted his resignation letter to the party, ending his membership of 56 years with effect from today.

"Last week, I resigned from my last post as treasurer to the Kulim Bandar Baharu Umno division. Today, I sent a letter to the secretary-general, resigning as a member with effect from today," he said in a statement.

He, however, did not reveal the reason for his resignation.

However, his announcement comes as the party disciplinary committee gathers evidence on his statement alleging that BN had bought votes in Kulim Bandar Baharu, Kedah, in the 12th general election.

Kadir, 73, was part of the Umno supreme council for 24 years, after 10 years in the Umno Youth executive council. 

He was appointed to the cabinet as minister of tourism, arts and culture in 1999 by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

During the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi administration, he was the information minister. He quit the cabinet in 2006.

He is currenty the deputy president of the NGO Angkatan Amanah Merdeka, which is headed by fellow Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.