KUALA LUMPUR: Umno is determine to pursue freeing its former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak from behind bars.
A special meeting that gathered the party's division chiefs today, sources said, heard that aside from gathering signatures from the grassroots to support the move, a letter would also be drafted soon for submission to the Federal Territories Pardons Board.
Umno leadership through the party secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki after the closed-door meeting repeated the party's soundbite yesterday to respect the decision by the Pardons Board.
"The closed-door meeting organised by Umno president (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) and all division chiefs was to share the outcome of the supreme council meeting yesterday.
"All delegates unanimously agreed to continue seeking justice for Najib and at the same time honour what has been decided by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"Pardon is the absolute discretion and power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the Federal Constitution and should not be questioned by anyone.
"We also hope there will be no suara sumbang who questioned the decision of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he said.
The meeting lasted around more than one hour.
Earlier today, Batu Umno division chief, Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim said special closed-door meeting is expected to discuss current political developments, including Najib's situation.
A total of 145 division chiefs out of the 191 has attended the meeting.
The Umno Supreme Council meeting yesterday also held discussions before reaching a resolution to continue efforts to seek defence for Najib, the former president of the party.
Among others, Umno would launch a nationwide campaign to appeal for His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to consider granting Najib Razak a full pardon.
It was reported earlier this week that the Federal Territories Pardons Board has reduced Najib's fine to RM50 million from RM210 million as well as halved his 12-year jail term to six.
The decision, however, did not go down well with several Umno leaders who felt that the former Pekan member of Parliament should be granted a full pardon.