KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 30 (Sin Chew Daily) – The meeting between several Umno ministers and prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the prime minister's office yesterday evening has sparked speculations, following the decision of the recently concluded Umno general assembly to sever ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

From what we understand, Umno ministers and deputy ministers will only tender their resignations earliest after the government has lifted the emergency decree.

When contacted, health minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, who was among the minister meeting the prime minister yesterday, declined to reply whether he had tendered his resignation, saying instead, "You should go ask (senior minister) Ismail Sabri. Thank you."

According to Bernama, also present at the prime minister's office yesterday were Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and energy and natural resources minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Haji Nasarah.

An Umno supreme council member told Sin Chew Daily the party had yet to fix a date for the supreme council meeting, but believed it would be held soon.

"The central delegates have given the party president the mandate to decide when to quit the Perikatan Nasional government.

"It's the president's prerogative. He will decide whether to consult the MPs or supreme council on this matter.

"As for the grassroots, they want to leave the PN government immediately, although there are factors to consider, such as the pandemic, rakyat and Emergency."

The supreme council member also said he had not heard of any Umno minister prepared to resign soon.