UMNO vice-president Khaled Nordin has dismissed rumours of division leaders’ discontent with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over the failure to secure a full pardon for his predecessor Najib Razak.

The rumours were said to have revolved around a letter calling for Zahid’s resignation as party chief, Utusan Malaysia reported.

“Even if such a letter is signed, the president cannot be removed. So, why even bother signing,” he was quoted as saying yesterday.

Khaled said the meeting between division leaders and the president held today was to clarify current issues, particularly regarding the Federal Territories Pardons Board’s decision to only commute Najib’s sentence instead of giving a full pardon, over his conviction in the SRC International case.

Khaled was asked to comment on a letter, supposedly signed by division leaders, asking for Zahid to step down.

He added that the party’s Supreme Council in a meeting yesterday came to a conclusion that it will focus its efforts on ensuring Najib receives “true justice”.

“We hope the Pardons Board will reconsider the commuted sentence as fairly as possible,” he said after visiting army veterans in Taman Aman.

Earlier today, Umno Supreme Council member Ahmad Maslan said Zahid had made every effort to obtain a full pardon for Najib, and the party is now focussing on efforts to seek a full pardon once again.

“Zahid has done many things, not all of which can be disclosed to the public.

“Yesterday, during the Supreme Council meeting, Zahid explained all the action taken to obtain a full pardon for Najib,” Ahmad said, according to Sinar Harian.

On Friday, the Pardons Board announced that Najib’s prison sentence has been reduced from 12 years to six.

His fine has also been reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million. However, if he fails to settle the fine, he will have to serve an additional year in jail.