The standard operating procedure (SOP) which requires senior Umno leaders to go on leave if they are charged in court does not apply to its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

This is because it only applies if the party is still part of the ruling government, according to Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa.

Annuar said such SOP is yet to be drafted since Umno became the opposition after its May 9 general election loss.

"When we were part of the ruling government, if someone is charged (in court), then the SOP would probably have applied.

"But as the opposition, we have yet to have any such SOP. This is new ground for us, so we have to discuss it.

"The term 'SOP' is also inaccurate, as the party only has rules and its constitution, when the constitution is silent, then the supreme council makes the decision," the New Straits Times quoted him telling reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Annuar was responding to a statement by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan that Zahid may have to go on leave from his party duties, after being charged with corruption and money-laundering offences last week. 

This, Mohamad had said, was in accordance with a party SOP set in 2009, which requires its high-ranking leaders to go on leave when they face criminal charges in court.

However, the said leaders can resume their positions if they are later found not guilty, he added.

Zahid was slapped with a total of 45 charges of criminal breach of trust, receiving gratification and money laundering in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court last Friday.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges and has vowed to clear his name. 

Commenting further, Annuar said that the party may discuss Zahid's status in Umno in next month's supreme council meeting - for which the date is yet to be set.