“In reference to Lim’s statement that I am his latest recruit in the fight to save Malaysia, I would like to explain that it was merely his personal view.

“I have never been recruited by anyone to stand up for the truth. Whatever I have voiced all this while is from my own realisation of the plight the country and the people are in,” said Muhyiddin in a statement last night.

Lim had in his speech at a Chinese New Year event in Johor last week, claimed that Muhyiddin was his latest recruit in his “Save Malaysia” campaign.

Muhyiddin, who was dropped from the cabinet line-up in last year’s reshuffle, also denied involvement in any plan to topple Umno.

He said the problem faced by the nation today was not the fault of the party, but that of the Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Razak.

“I believe the administrative problems, particularly the allegations of impropriety against the prime minister, are shared by the majority of the people across all political, ideological and racial boundaries.”