Umno Youth exco member Mukhriz Mahathir today expressed regret over his statement that downplayed party president Abdullah's opening speech at the recently concluded Umno general assembly.

"I regret and wish to inform that I had no intention of hurting anyone's feelings, especially the party president's," he said in a brief statement today.

While other party leaders and ruling Barisan Nasional coalition partners had hailed Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's speech, Mukhriz had said that the prime minister had not touched on anything new in his opening remarks.

Mukhriz said that Abdullah should take concrete action to curb corruption and not dish out mere rhetoric.

"We really hope he will take appropriate action and show to the rakyat that he is truly serious in his battle against corruption," he told reporters right after Abdullah had delivered his speech.

"We just talk, talk, talk. I feel that Umno members want action and not just talk," he added.

For that, the former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's son came under fire from all quarters.

Abdullah not happy

Umno Youth wing chief Hishammuddin Hussein had said that the wing would contemplate action against Mukhriz over his remarks while nine state Umno Youth leaders wanted stern action taken against Mukhriz.

Umno Youth felt that Mukhriz's remarks went against the movement's stand which supported the party president and prime minister.

Even the prime minister said that he was not happy with Mukhriz's remarks.

As the criticisms levelled against him increased by the day, Mukhriz had initially refused to comment on the matter.

Yesterday he told the media that he would be meeting Hishammuddin soon to clarify his position.

However in his statement today, Mukhriz said that he accepted his party boss Hishammuddin's admonition on the matter.

Mukhriz is Umno Youth's international relations and non-governmental organisation bureau chairman and member of the Kubang Pasu Umno division committee.

Later in the day, when asked to comment about this latest development, Bernama quoted Abdullah as saying: "Oh, he regrets. Never mind. Let him say what he wants to say. It's up to him."