Call for UMNO to take immediate action against Muhyiddin

The UMNO Supreme Council (MT) should take immediate action against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over his speech at a gathering at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kampung Baru on Monday night which is seen as 'crossing the line' and violating the party's constitution.

This was expressed by several UMNO divisional leaders who regarded the action by Muhyiddin, as the party deputy president, in speaking on the party's internal affairs openly as confusing the UMNO members, as well as weaken the party.

Bandar Tun Razak UMNO division chief Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar said the suggestion for disciplinary action against Muhyiddin was appropriate.

He said the former deputy prime minister seemed to deliberately ignoring the proper channel, like MT, to raise such issues, but had raised the matter in public.

"He is still the deputy president, still in MT, there are many channels that can be used, and most of the issues he raised (on the country's administration), happened when he was still in the Cabinet.

Rizalman concurred with UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor that Muhyiddin's speech at the Sultan Sulaiman Club yesterday had crossed the line.

He said the speech by Muhyiddin could create dissatisfaction among grassroots members.

Tengku Adnan today said Muhyiddin, in his speech at the 'Bersama Timbalan Presiden UMNO' event last night, had 'crossed the line'. It was over a decision by UMNO to not allow him to open the delegates' meetings of the three party wings on Wednesday.

Rizalman said information sessions should be conducted at all party levels to explain any action to be taken against Muhyiddin.

Echoing the same view was Temerloh UMNO division chief Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin, who said that said Muhyiddin no longer fulfilled his responsibilities as the party's number two, which was to assist and defend the president.

"He was not challenged at the last party election, reflecting that all the party members had put their trust in him to help the president. That's what he should do.

"Instead he wants the president to take a break. If he does not agree (with Najib), he should wait until the next election. Do not betray the party members' trust," he said.

Federal Territory UMNO Youth chief Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii said the grassroots members were leaving it to the MT to decide whether to take action against Muhyiddin.

"If the MT's decision shows that Tan Sri Muhyiddin had tarnished the image of the party, do take appropriate action against him," he said.

Setiawangsa Umno division deputy chief Datuk Ahmad Fauzi Zahari said Muhyiddin's action would only worsen the situation.

"This is not the right way, if we want to disscuss the party's problem, it should be discussed using the right platform, that is what we have been taught, since Tun Dr Mahathir's era.

"The MT members should play their role. They need to draw a line and take action immediately, whether Muhyiddin's action is considered as constructive criticism or weakening the party," he said.

Permatang Pauh UMNO division chief Datuk Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said said Muhyiddin's action was testing the patience and tolerance of other MT members.

Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun hoped that whatever action was to be taken against Muhyiddin, it should not undermine the party unity.