No press conference, Umno leaders keep mum

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Umno Supreme Council members were tight-lipped about what they discussed during the three-hour meeting they had here today.

In a surprise move — at least to the press — Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi did not hold a press conference after chairing the meeting.

With his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak joining him in making a quick exit, the role of the spokesperson fell upon information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib who was only willing to explain the Umno-Pas unity talks.
Another Supreme Council member Datuk Shahrir Samad joked that he would run for presidency but that of the Members of Parliament's Golf Association.

On the issue of interest rates and rice supply under his Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, he declined comment.

"We just talked about the party elections," said another Supreme Council member who declined to elaborate.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein uttered a few words about the party's disciplinary committee meeting but when asked about the Supreme Council meeting, he said, "That you have to ask Pak Lah."

If there was one thing they were all united about, it was this: no comments to the press.

*Datuk Shahrir Samad speaking to reporters. — Picture by Shannon Teoh

-TMI