Umno Federal Territories’ Information Chief Mustapha Kamal Mohd Yusoff, speaking to Malay daily Utusan Malaysia yesterday, said Najib, as party president had offered his deputy many opportunities to stop airing his grievances in public, but Muhyiddin Yassin has turned a blind eye to these gestures and continued attacking the prime minister and the government.
“If there is anything he (Muhyiddin) wants to say, he can do so privately instead of airing it in public. The president has given him the opportunity to change but if he still chooses to be the cause of negativity for the party, then it would be better for him to resign.
“Muhyiddin now is like a thorn in the party’s flesh. To strengthen the party, the members have to unite instead of take advantage of troubled times,” the daily quoted Mustapha as saying.
Supreme Council member Mohamed Nazri Aziz expressed a similar view when he, in an event at Putrajaya yesterday, called for Muhyiddin’s resignation if the latter refused to carry out his obligations to assist Najib in the running of Umno.
Umno Youth Information Chief Jamawi Jaafar agreed with Nazri’s stand, and said Muhyiddin’s rebellion had provided the Opposition with ammunition to attack the ruling party.
“The Opposition pact can take sick leave now as their work is done by Umno’s own deputy president. How long must this go on? In the party’s constitution, it is stated that the deputy has to assist the president in the management of the party.
“If he (Muhyiddin) fails to do this, then we support (the call) for him to step down from his position.”
Kota Melaka Puteri Umno chief Haryati Hamdzah said differences of opinion among leaders were a norm for the party, but the manner in which these disagreements were expressed should be controlled.
“The best thing for the party is for the deputy president to play his role efficiently. He should avoid creating tension and splits within Umno.”