Annuar: Apandi still Umno disciplinary board chairman
KUALA LUMPUR: The controversy surrounding the shock resignation of Umno disciplinary board chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali will be resolved once he returns from vacation, party secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa said yesterday.
Annuar said the party leadership had not interfered in the affairs of its disciplinary board, and as far as Umno was concerned, Apandi was still the board’s chairman.
“I was given a picture of what had happened and I (feel) that this matter must be discussed properly when Apandi returns from his vacation overseas,” he said.
Annuar asked everyone to respect the position of the disciplinary board.
“The formation of the disciplinary board is provided for in the party constitution and the board remains independent.
“The disciplinary board is free to conduct any investigation and report (findings) to the party leadership. Any confusion regarding the process and actions (taken by) the disciplinary board (could) be clarified when the board holds a meeting independently, chaired by Apandi himself.”
On Thursday, Apandi, who was attorneygeneral during the previous Barisan Nasional administration, announced his resignation as Umno disciplinary board chairman, barely a year after his appointment.
Apandi said he made the decision to step down as he wanted to retain his integrity, following “interference” in disciplinary proceedings against former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
“Nobody in the political hierarchy can interfere with the functions of the disciplinary board.
“As I said, it is unconstitutional and unlawful. I cannot condone such a thing. It goes against the principle of my ardent belief in the rule of law,” Apandi reportedly said.
However, Apandi had yet to formally submit his resignation letter, which he said he would do early next month.
On Dec 13, Hishammuddin was served a show-cause letter and ordered to appear before the disciplinary board over his involvement in a meeting between Umno members of parliament and PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali last month.
The disciplinary proceedings were scheduled to take place on Dec 26, but were postponed.
Apandi had said he did not order the postponement and that “there is something wrong here”.