Apandi alleges interference in Hisham's disciplinary hearing, quits as chair

Umno disciplinary board chairperson Mohamed Apandi Ali has alleged interference in Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein's disciplinary hearing.

The hearing, which was to take place today, did not materialise.

"I did not order the postponement, there is something wrong here," he was quoted as saying by the Malay Mail.

Following the postponement, Apandi announced his resignation as Umno disciplinary board chairperson.

"I have directed the secretary of the board to prepare my resignation letter as the chairperson and it will take effect immediately.

"I am not willing to be made a kuda tunganggan (lackey). My dignity is greater than the position," he was quoted as saying.

Apandi was formerly the attorney-general. He was removed following the fall of the BN government in the last general election. Umno subsequently appointed him into the leadership.

Hishammuddin was served a show-cause letter on Dec 13, and was required to appear before the disciplinary board.

This follows Hishammuddin's alleged involvement in a gathering of Umno MPs at PKR deputy president, who is also Economic Affairs Minister, Mohamed Azmin Ali's official residence on Nov 19.

Immediately after the gathering, Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam had accused Hishammuddin of rallying Umno MPs for Azmin.

Lokman also revealed that he had lodged a complaint against Hishammuddin on Oct 30 and urged the party to take action. 

Lokman had claimed Hishammuddin was responsible for orchestrating the defection of Umno MPs to Bersatu.

This was amid speculation that Hishammuddin and Azmin were working together to gather enough MPs to ensure Dr Mahathir Mohamad can stay on as prime minister and to thwart PKR president Anwar Ibrahim's rise.

Hishammuddin had denied the allegations against him.