PM absent from Umno 'urgent' meeting, leaders to reconvene this evening

Umno Sungai Besar chief Jamal Md Yunos today said a call from the party’s headquarters last night for an urgent meeting came as a shock amid mounting speculations on the 15th general election.

According to Jamal, many division leaders heeded the call despite being left in the dark over the reasons behind the meeting with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

However, Jamal told reporters at Umno’s headquarters today that all those present were given a briefing on preparations for GE15.

“The reason we were called is the readiness of the party’s machinery. Division leaders must raise all their needs and whatever ideas to face GE15.

“A total of 158 division leaders from across the country were present today and we unanimously asked for GE15 to be called soon,” he said.

Aside from Zahid and Mohamad, party leaders present since around noon include Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Meeting to reconvene at 5.30pm

Malaysiakini understands that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is an Umno vice-president, had yet to attend the meeting as of this afternoon until it was adjourned for Zahid to return to court and resume his corruption trial.

The meeting is expected to reconvene later at 5.30pm.

It was earlier reported that among those absent from the meeting include two Umno ministers - Ketereh division chief Annuar Musa and Arau division chief Shahidan Kassim.

It is understood that the communications and multimedia minister and the federal territories minister respectively were attending the same function in Perlis today.

Sources also said a majority of those absent were from divisions in Sabah as they were unable to catch an overnight flight to be in Kuala Lumpur today.

The meeting today was held a day after the media reported Ismail Sabri’s views on his considerations before seeking an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the dissolution of Parliament and pave way for GE15.

Among others, Malaysiakini reported that factors taken into consideration include the RM6 billion littoral combat ship scandal. - Mkini