Akhramsyah, who was the head of Umno Youth’s Bendang Baru branch in Langkawi, said he submitted his resignation letter as staying on with Umno while being involved in the new party would be hypocritical.

“It would be hypocritical of me to remain in Umno once I am involved in the new party. I am still awaiting advice on action to be taken prior to the submission of the application to the RoS (Registrar of Societies) to form the new party.

“Hence, I am stating here my full commitment to the formation of the new party, and to remove further doubt, have submitted my resignation to my Bendang Baru branch and Langkawi division, effective immediately,” the New Straits Times Online quoted Akhramsyah as saying.

He also said a news report claiming he had no intention of leaving Umno, was “erroneous.”

The formation of the new party was announced by Mahathir last month. It was also announced later that former Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin would lead the party and officially register it with the RoS.

Last night a meeting was held at Mahathir’s residence which Akhramsyah attended along with former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir, Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia president Kamarul Azman Habibur Rahman, and student activist Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.