All UMNO leaders and members should accept the decision on the expulsion of party deputy president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, with an open heart, said UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said although a certain group found it difficult to accept the matter, it was the final decision of the party's Supreme Council.

"It is of course difficult to accept the appropriateness 100 per cent, but when a final decision had been made by the highest UMNO body, it has to be accepted with an open heart and mind.

"Party loyalty is the highest price to pay," he told reporters after attending the official opening of the Lulu Supermarket, here today.

He said this when commenting on the decision of the Supreme Council yesterday to expel Muyhiddin and Mukhriz as UMNO members for breaching party discipline while party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal had his party membership suspended.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid called on the UMNO leadership and members to strengthen party solidarity to ensure its survival.

"I want solidarity to be rebuilt even though it will be difficult initially but I think UMNO has gone through various eras and challenges," he said.

As such, he said, ways of solving the problems must be sought as soon as possible so that UMNO would continue to be relevant not only to party members but also the general public.

"Whenever solidarity is strengthened in the party, then the Barisan Nasional can drive and empower the UMNO struggles subsequently," said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bagan Datoh.

Asked on the possibility of having an UMNO election, he said: "No UMNO election in the near future."