The Umno supreme council today reduced vice-president Mohd Isa Samad's six year suspension from the party to three years.

The decision was announced by party president and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after chairing the two-hour long supreme council meeting in the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Following the latest development, Mohd Isa, who is also Federal Territories Minister, would have to resign from his ministerial position.

According to the premier, this was the final decision.

"A final decision has been made and no more appeals will be entertained on this matter," he told reporters.

Mohd Isa was suspended after being found guilty of practising money politics during last year's Umno elections.

He had filed an appeal on July 6.

Prepared to resign

Meanwhile, deputy president and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said Mohd Isa would have to resign from the cabinet.

"That is the convention," he added.

The supreme council is the party's highest decision making body.

According to a Bernama report, Mohd Isa said he accepted the supreme council's decision.

He said he was also prepared to resign from his cabinet position.

According to the report, he refused to comment further, saying: "I'm going to pray."

"Never mind, you can interview me another day, I'm going to pray. Thank you," he added.