Najib denies inviting Khalid to join Umno
Hasbullah Awang Chik, The Malaysian Insider
Nothing extraordinary was discussed with Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim during a chance meeting yesterday, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, adding that he did not ask the Selangor menteri besar to join Umno.
Najib (pic) and Khalid attended a breaking fast function yesterday with about 2,000 Muslims at the Tengku Ampuan Jemaah mosque in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam.
Najib had told reporters that he could cooperate with Abdul Khalid despite their different political views.
“Although we have a difference in political views, we can work together on many issues,” Najib had said.
The Umno president today said the meeting with Khalid was just common courtesy and mutual respect for each other.
“He had attended the function as a gesture of respect for me as the head of the federal government.
“I respect him as the state government leader,” Najib told reporters today at Menara Dato Onn.
“It was nothing special, I did not invite him to join Umno.”
Najib’s comments about cooperating with Khalid were widely reported today.
Selangor legislative assembly deputy speaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said he preferred to keep an open mind about the moral support shown by Putrajaya for Khalid, adding that it was not an issue.
Nik Nazmi said Najib’s moral support for Khalid was normal because they usually met at official functions.
