Former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said his apology to state exco member Ronnie Liu would not affect Umno and Barisan Nasional in the state.

"I believe this apology does not affect Umno and BN because I am no longer a state Umno leader," he said in his blog entry.

He had apologised to Liu at the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday for wrongly accusing the latter of preventing local enforcement authorities from taking action against a suspected vice-den in Puchong.

NONE Liu had sued Khir over a China Press article dated May 5, 2008. The article had quoted Khir accusing Liu of interfering in a police anti-vice sting.

According to Khir, he had only questioned Liu because portfolio in the state cabinet includes local governments.

"However, the statements made during the press conference had a wider implication because China Press had reported as though Liu was involved in prostitution activities," wrote Khir.

Meanwhile, Khir said that the apology was timely because prolonging the issue would affect family members of parties involved.

He said that he was urged by supporters to pursue the case, but he chose otherwise.

"Saying sorry not only provides an opportunity for forging better ties in the state legislative assembly and ushering a more mature democracy," he said .