KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — Suspended Umno member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has dismissed the claim that he is among 10 party "warlords” rumoured to join Perikatan Nasional (PN), reported the New Straits Times.

The former Pasir Salak MP told a press conference in Ipoh that he is still loyal to the party he had served for more than 50 years, and leaving Umno would not be beneficial to him.

"Nothing to do with me. For the sake of Allah, I have no inkling about such an idea. Why would I do that?” he reportedly said when asked about the claim.

"I am still with Umno and [president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi]. Don’t worry, I am with Umno, and will always support Umno. I hope Zahid will lead us wisely. He must be fair to all for the sake of the party, Umno members, and the Malays. I am not a small child any more and I can think rationally.”

Several PN leaders, including secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, had reportedly claimed that at least 10 leaders from Umno will be joining the PN soon before the upcoming state elections.

Among the names thrown into the ring are former Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar and former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

Umno has dismissed the claims.

Meanwhile, Tajuddin, who had sent three appeals against his suspension said that his wife, Datin Seri Rohkiah Abdul Samat, had personally met Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over the matter and was hoping the president would lift his suspension soon.

"My wife had met [Zahid]. She not only asked him about the suspension, but she and he talked about why I got such a punishment.

"I really hope that the president will think calmly. Look back at what have I contributed [to the party]. What are my biggest mistakes? If there is any mistake, it might be simply the strong criticism which I had expressed,” he reportedly said.

The former Umno Supreme Council member said he could not leave Umno as the party had given him a lot of opportunities.

"I can’t leave Umno. The party has done a lot for me, and I have contributed a lot to the party. So why should I leave Umno? It brings no benefit to me,” he was quoted saying.

Zahid, in his closing speech at the recent Umno general assembly, said that the party is always open to accepting back its members who have been dismissed or suspended.