KUALA LUMPUR: Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had made significant steps to secure a full pardon for the incarcerated former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Ahmad Maslan said Umno is currently directing its focus towards obtaining a full pardon for Najib, who still holds possibilities for clemency.
Ahmad Maslan, who is also the deputy work minister, said Ahmad Zahid will elaborate on all efforts to all 191 Umno division chiefs, Wanita Umno chief and Umno Youth chief, including excos of Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri, at Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, World Trade Centre (WTC) today.
He also refuted allegations of any endeavours to oust Zahid by leaders of Umno divisions.
"That is untrue. It is merely an attempt by those who want to divide Umno.
"The meeting with all Umno divisions this evening stems from discussions during the Supreme Council meeting on Friday," he said, as quoted in Sinar Harian.
He said it is important to gather to clarify the exact position regarding the full pardon and the efforts undertaken by Umno.
Yesterday, Datuk Lokman Noor Adam said Umno will kick off a nationwide signature campaign soon to appeal for His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to consider granting Datuk Seri Najib Razak a full pardon.
Lokman said that all the Supreme Council members agreed to meet to discuss the Pardons Board's decision on Najib.
Lokman, who is also an Umno Supreme Council member, also said the party would initiate efforts for Najib to be granted either parole or a house arrest.