The Umno leadership was recently embroiled in controversy over claims it had interfered in the party's disciplinary board's action against Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa had maintained this is untrue and stressed that the "confusion" will be cleared up when the disciplinary board chairperson Mohamed Apandi Ali returns from abroad and chairs the next meeting.

However, as opposed to chairing a meeting to "clear the air", Apandi said his intention as soon as he return from abroad will be to submit his resignation.

"It's true that the Umno headquarters has not received my resignation letter yet but I won't reconsider," he was quoted as saying by the Malaysian Insight.

Apandi, a former attorney-general, had claimed interference in the disciplinary board's affairs. 

This is after a disciplinary hearing against Hishammuddin (photo) slated for Dec 26 failed to materialise.

"I did not order the postponement, there is something wrong here," he had said and subsequently announced his resignation.

"I am not willing to be made a kuda tunganggan (lackey). My dignity is greater than the position," Apandi added.

Annuar had described the entire episode as a "confusion". 

"I had the opportunity to speak to Apandi, who confirmed he is on holiday abroad. I was given a picture of what had happened and agreed that the matter needs to be properly discussed when Apandi returns from his holiday.

"The confusion about the process and action of the disciplinary board can be cleared up when the board, chaired by Apandi, meets independently," Annuar had said yesterday.