Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has told the Chinese press to stop speculating about the re-entry of Ahmad Ismail to the Bukit Bendera division.

"I want this case closed," said the defence minister when met by reporters in Parliament today.

He insisted that the vernacular press should stop commenting about Ahmad's impending return to the Bukit Bendera division leadership.

Zahid also refuted a Chinese-language radio report that he supports Ahmad's demand for an apology by Penang Gerakan to Umno.

"I never asked Penang Gerakan or the central Gerakan to apologise. Those are just unsubstantiated reports."