Aspan, in his blog post today said Muhyiddin was elected by party members and thus Najib and other Supreme Council members must explain their decision to suspend their deputy president.

“Muhyiddin himself should attend (the EGM) and explain why he criticised the president on the biggest issue linked to him.

“This meeting is very important if Umno wants to avoid further problems and Najib can defend himself, rather than use his executive power to sack Muhyiddin without referring to the members who voted for Muhyiddin previously.”

On Friday, the Umno Supreme Council unanimously agreed to suspend Muhyiddin for failing to carry out his responsibilities as deputy president. The suspension took immediate effect and will last until the next party elections.

Muhyiddin however, was not present at the meeting where his suspicion was agreed upon and announced.

According to Aspan, holding and EGM was the most “moral and democratic” thing to do to protect the integrity of the party’s leadership, now that they had suspended their deputy president.

He added, by doing so, Najib could avoid being called a “pariah, dictator and corrupt leader”, adding that as the prime minister, Najib could not afford such labels or to be associated with any wrongdoings.

Nevertheless, if Najib and Umno leaders fail to call for an EGM, they should then heed the public’s advice and resign, Aspan added.

Najib, Umno Secretary-General Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and supreme council member Salleh Said Keruak, he said should “be adult” about the issue of Muhyiddin’s suspension.

“Show that you are well-bred leaders. Have some courage to face the members.”