PUTRAJAYA: Sacking Datuk Zaid Ibrahim was necessary and should serve as a lesson to other party leaders, Umno supreme council member and foreign minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said yesterday.

He said if the party had not sacked Zaid, the party would have lost its credibility.

"This is in line with the party policy that we take action against those who do not believe in the party's struggle any more.

"This is a reminder that we as leaders, or party members, have to understand and toe the party line and I believe that Zaid will accept this decision with an open heart," said Rais.