Maznah, Sinar Harian Online reported, said she, along with Kedah Umno leaders and division chiefs were instead told they were invited to a closed-door briefing.

As the leader of an Umno wing, Maznah told the Malay daily, she attended the meeting.

“Yet, when we arrived, there was no such briefing. Instead we were told to attend a press conference we knew nothing of and to sit in front.”

She was commenting on the press conference held yesterday by Kedah Umno Deputy chairman Ahmad Bashah Hanipah calling for the ouster of Mukhriz as MB. Among those present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom and Baling lawmaker Azeez Rahim.

During the press conference, Bashah pleaded with Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also the Umno president, to have Mukhriz replaced, citing the latter’s failure to administer the state government and unite the party as well as properly plan for the 14th General Election.

Maznah however said her presence at the press conference did not mean she supported the call for Mukhriz to step down.

“I hope the Umno leadership will make a rational decision. Don’t do anything that will burden the people and that won’t benefit our race.”