Umno can breathe a little easier after the Kuala Lumpur High Court today set aside an earlier order compelling party treasurer Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi to pay RM218 million for unpaid campaign materials for the 2004 general election.

Poll merchandise supplier Elegant Advisory Sdn Bhd had on July 17 obtained a judgment in default against Abdul Azim after Umno lawyers failed to appear in court to fight the case.

In making the judgment, High Court deputy registrar Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya, who had earlier given the order compelling Abdul Azim to pay up, had reversed his own decision.