KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Amanah communications director Khalid Samad has apologised for "upsetting” Umno with his statement urging the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to deny its plea for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pardon.

Malaysiakini today quoted Khalid as saying that his previous remark was not an attack on or criticism of Umno, but was rather a difference of opinion.

"We respect their right to make an appeal for the pardon. That is their right, they can do that, no issue.

"They are now criticising us, saying that we do not know how to work together... we are just stating a different stand.

"(It is) Unfortunate that they want to make it an issue. I apologise for upsetting them but that is Amanah’s stand.

"So, our apologies for not having the same opinion,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal.

Khalid also reportedly said he presented his remarks as Amanah’s stance as the party was against corruption.

Najib has been convicted of misappropriating RM42 million from a former 1MDB unit and subsequently sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment; the ex-PM has applied for a royal pardon after exhausting all other legal avenues to appeal.

Today, Khalid also denied the dispute regarding Najib’s pardon would lead to "a breakout or an argument” between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan in the six state elections expected in July.

Khalid’s statement previously caused a stir among Umno leaders, with Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi calling for an end to "inappropriate” comments on the party’s bid to seek a pardon for Najib.

Earlier today, Amanah president Mat Sabu said his party’s members may express their personal views about Umno's petition on behalf of former PM Najib Razak, but these were not representative of Amanah’s stand that was bound by PH’s position.