Najib joins MPs in meeting as Umno plots next move

Former prime minister Najib Razak is among the Umno MPs who are attending a meeting at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur ahead of a deadline given by president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi which expires today.

A source familiar with the meeting said there had been a heated discussion on the party’s plan to quit the Perikatan Nasional government, but refused to give more details.

It is understood that apart from Najib and Zahid, who have been at the forefront of efforts to have Umno enter into an alliance with PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim, others seen attending the meeting today include Bera MP Ismail Sabri Yaakob, as well as a handful of Cabinet members from Umno.

“Shahidan Kassim refused to attend,” said the source, referring to the Arau MP who has joined the chorus of calls for action to be taken against Zahid, accusing the party boss of going against the decision not to cooperate with PKR and DAP.

On June 21, Zahid urged the government to reconvene Parliament proceedings within 14 days, saying failure to do so would amount to treachery and a lack of respect for the Malay rulers following their recent statements on the matter.

In a statement, Zahid said it was critical for Parliament sittings to be held immediately to give voice to the demands and aspirations of the people during this challenging time, and to ensure accountability in the government’s administration.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today announced that the Cabinet would advise the Agong to call for the Dewan Rakyat to convene for five days from July 26.