“Do not believe the speculation out there. I have no reason to leave the party.

“However, I feel that the leadership should set a clear direction for all of us Umno members,” he told Bernama.

Hishammuddin was responding to media reports that he would be leaving Umno. The speculation arose following his meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for about two hours yesterday in Putrajaya.

The former Umno vice-president said he had met Mahathir to find out the prime minister’s plans for the people and nation.

Over the last two days, two Umno MPs have resigned from the party. Mustapa Mohamed, the MP for Jeli, Kelantan, quit yesterday and Anifah Aman, the MP for Kimanis, Sabah, did so today.

Several other Umno leaders also denied leaving the party.

Perlis Menteri Besar Azlan Man said he would continue to remain in Umno and lead the administration of the state under the Barisan Nasional leadership.

“If there are rumours that I am quitting Umno, these are wild and baseless allegations,” he said after handing over donations to storm victims at Taman Kemajuan, in Kangar, today.

Commenting on the move by Mustapa and Anifah to leave the party, Azlan said their decisions should be respected as both leaders must have their reasons for doing so.

“I am confident that we will be able to revive Umno to serve the people,” he said.

Former Perlis Umno liaison committee chairman Shahidan Kassim said there was no need for him to leave the party but he did not deny that more MPs would resign from the party.

“To those who have quit the party, I wish them all the best. To those intending to leave. Just go. There is no need to comment on Umno.”

The Arau MP added those resigning from the party should step down as MPs as the people had voted them because they had contested under the Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) banner.