Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today voiced his support for plans to set up an independent press council in Malaysia.

Speaking to reporters after a book launch in Kuala Lumpur, the Gua Musang MP said he believed that newsrooms should be free from the influence of the government and political parties.

"There should be press freedom. I support that. There should be a press council.

"Reporting should be free from the interference of the government and political parties," said Tengku Razaleigh, adding that the council has a role to play as an arbiter to safeguard the people's rights to a free press.

An Umno member for over 50 years, the 82-year-old had earlier been asked about his views on whether the party should move to "rescue" Malay daily Utusan Malaysia from its currently dire financial situation.

"I feel it is up to (all) the shareholders to rescue the company.

"Otherwise, it will be difficult for Utusan; pity the people working for the paper," said Tengku Razaleigh.

According to Utusan's 2017 annual report, Umno owns a 49.77 percent stake in the newspaper.

The next largest substantial shareholder is Nilam Setar (M) Sdn Bhd, owned by tycoon Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, with a 14.76 percent stake.

More than just the issue of ownership, Tengku Razaleigh said the paper's editorial team should be granted freedom to publish stories that matter to the people.

"But now there is a wrong (negative) stereotype, too much (focus) on the party," he added.

Umno's constitution 'silent' on Zahid's position

On a separate matter, Tengku Razaleigh also weighed in on questions raised over Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's position in the party after the latter was yesterday charged with 45 counts of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and receiving gratification.

"I'm not saying Zahid (centre in photo) should (take) leave.

"The party constitution is silent on it," Tengku Razaleigh said when pressed on whether the Umno president should take leave pending the outcome of the case.

He however noted that there has been precedence where party leaders charged in court had taken leave from their positions, citing as examples two former Selangor menteri besar, the late Harun Idris and Muhammad Muhammad Taib, both implicated in corruption scandals during their time in power.

"They had to give up (their posts)," he said.

Quizzed on his views on who should lead Umno in Zahid's absence, Tengku Razaleigh said that it is up to the party to decide on the matter.

"But by practice the deputy should take over," he said, adding that Umno could also call for another presidential election.

Tengku Razaleigh earlier launched a revised edition of The End of Umno? - a collection of essays on the party, edited by US academic Bridget Welsh, with added analysis following its historic loss in the 14th general election.