Conflicting accounts have emerged on what transpired at the Umno political bureau meeting on Wednesday (Aug 24), a day after former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak failed to overturn his conviction and prison sentence.
According to one Umno and government source, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was purportedly told to hold the general election as soon as possible or be sacked from the party.
However, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan denied this.
“False, slander”, he told Malaysiakini in a text message.
Whereas Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki described this as an attempt to tarnish Umno’s image and create a negative perception.
The source claimed the meeting was tense, and some of those present raised their voices at Ismail Sabri, who is the Umno vice-president, on several matters including Najib’s incarceration.
The political bureau, alleged the source, was displeased with the Federal Court’s decision to uphold the former premier’s conviction and sentence in relation to the SRC International case.
“So the prime minister was told to expedite the election, among other things. He was given an ultimatum, which included being sacked from Umno,” the source told Malaysiakini.
The source claimed that the meeting also discussed the possibility of securing a royal pardon for Najib, who is embroiled in ongoing legal battles over a number of charges related to 1MDB.
However, the source declined to reveal Ismail Sabri’s response to the demand during the meeting, which was chaired by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Najib’s supporters livid
Meanwhile, another Umno leader who was present at the meeting also denied such an ultimatum was issued.
“The ultimatum to sack him (Ismail Sabri) was never raised during the meeting.
“There were some who were emotional when discussing the matter (Najib’s imprisonment) but not in the meeting,” added the leader, who was present at the meeting.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Najib’s supporters in Umno were livid with Ismail Sabri for allowing their former party president to land in prison.
Among them was former Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam, who wanted the party to sack or at least suspend Ismail Sabri.
Umno is slated to meet its division leaders tomorrow. It is believed that the top leadership will be explaining issues concerning the election and Najib’s imprisonment.
In a related development, The Vibes, quoting sources, claimed that the political bureau also demanded Ismail Sabri sack Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Attorney-General Idris Harun.
Tengku Maimun headed the five-member Federal Court panel which dismissed Najib’s appeal. - Mkini
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