A no-show for Muhyiddin, Shafie at UMNO Supreme Council meeting today

UMNO deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will not attend today’s UMNO supreme council meeting at the party headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre here, as he is still abroad, disclosed close aides.

“He (Muhyiddin) can’t make it to the meeting,” revealed the source via a WhatsApp message to Astro AWANI, here today.

A source close to UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Shafiee Apdal, citing similar reason disclosed, “he will not attend the meeting as he’s still overseas.”

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is UMNO president, will chair the meeting this evening.

Three UMNO supreme council members including Kedah Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin were not present at the meeting.

When contacted, Khaled’s Press secretary, Asrib Khalbi revealed that it was not compulsory for his boss to attend it (the meeting).

“I believe, it’s a non-issue that he isn’t there,” he explained.

Zahid Hamidi

Ahmad Zahid (third from left) was all smiles as he made his way to the UMNO Supreme Council meeting at the UMNO headquarters at PWTC, here today. - Photo Astro AWANI/Hilal Azmi

Muhyiddin and Shafie were removed from the federal Cabinet late July, outwardly for questioning Najib’s manner in handling the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue.

Muhyiddin and Shafie, who remain as UMNO deputy president and vice-president, have continued to criticise the party leadership, prompting demands that UMNO impose actions over their undisguised attacks.