UMNO has denied receiving any official resignation letter from its Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, dismissing viral claims on social media as speculation and hearsay.

The party’s secretary-general, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said no formal notice had been submitted and stressed that Umno does not base leadership decisions on rumours circulating online.

“There is none. So far, no official letter has been received. As the party’s secretary-general, we do not base our position on what is being said on social media or on talk that is going around,” he said today.

The denial comes amid mounting speculation over the position of Dr Akmal, following reports that he was preparing to step down as Umno Youth chief and as the Merlimau state assemblyman.

Earlier today, an Umno Youth leader sought to play down the rumours by pointing to Akmal’s continued political activity.