Zahid gives Noh Omar the sack after rejecting suspension

The Umno Supreme Council chaired by its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has sacked Noh Omar, the former Selangor Umno chief told reporters after walking out of the party's top leadership body meeting tonight.

It is learnt that Noh, one of five senior party members slated for suspension or expulsion for criticising Zahid, was initially given a six-year suspension alongside former information chief Shahril Hamdan.

Noh himself confirmed the matter after emerging from the meeting tonight.

"When it was announced that I was suspended, (I said) why suspend, might as well sack. 

"Why remain in the struggle, in the party that I have fought for since 1976? I have sacrificed for the party, but it seems today that the party is being used for personal interests," Noh said.

According to Noh, Zahid immediately agreed to his request to be sacked instead.

"I said, 'thank you'," he said, adding that he had yet to appear before the party's disciplinary board in an appointment scheduled for Monday.