The decision made by Johor Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Anwar Rahmat to step down from all his posts in Umno has been seen as a personal decision and must be respected, Johor Umno liaison chairperson Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

While admitting that he was not informed about Khairul's resignation, Mohamed Khaled said he was prepared to meet with Khairul to learn the real reasons.

"I don't even know the main reason, so I don't want to comment (further). We respect his decision, he probably has his own reasons to do it and I believe it's personal," he told reporters after attending the Ziarah Ramadan programme at Kampung Melayu Pandan Mosque in Johor Baru today.

Mohamed Khaled ( photo ), who is also Johor Menteri Besar, said this in response to Khairul's statement issued earlier today, announcing his decision to resign from his party posts to focus on community service and expanding the operation of his company, effective July 11.

In the statement, Khairul, who is also Malaysian Volunteer Lawyers Association (SukaGuam) chairperson, said he had decided to step down from his posts as Umno Legal Secretariat chief and Kluang Umno division Youth chief.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled said Johor Umno accepted the decision made by the Umno supreme council yesterday to postpone for 18 months the party elections, which was slated to be held sometime next year.

He said the decision was made to allow the party to focus on serving the people and strengthening the party to face the next general election.

"To succeed, the party must be stronger and to be stronger, the members must unite, and we have to avoid any factional conflicts in the party," he said.

Earlier, Mohamed Khaled also visited five asnaf (those who receive zakat ) houses in Kampung Melayu Pandan and presented pre-Raya donations and tithe to asnaf families in Johor Baru.

- Bernama