Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal has described the meeting between party president Najib Abdul Razak and division leaders slated for Sunday as something normal.

"Umno always has these internal administration meetings. This is something normal that we do to meet with division leaders," Shafie told reporters today.

The rural and regional development minister said the meeting is also being held to explain current issues to the grassroots leaders.

"This is a platform to explain the status of current issues.

"Division leaders should be briefed so that there is no confusion about issues that have been brought up internally and externally," he added.

Shafie said the explanations would correct the "perception (on issues)", not just among leaders but among the people as well.

Speculation has been rife regarding the ‘Solidarity with PM’ meet, which comes amid escalating attacks on Najib over various issues, such as the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial issues.

On a related matter, Shafie refused to answer queries on whether the cabinet had rejected a proposed RM3 billion loan to 1MDB.

"Where did you hear that?" he asked.

"I don't need to answer the question because that is something that we normally discuss in detail with the cabinet," Shafie added.