In a Facebook video, Shahril revealed that he had not received any letter and did not know the real reason for his suspension.

“Yesterday, I was suspended for six years by the disciplinary board. But I never received any letter and I don’t even know the reasons for this action.”

Shahril said his supporters had asked him to appeal against the decision but he does not even know how to plead his case as the party had not followed the right procedures when it decided to suspend him.

“So, you cannot expect the appeal to be in my favour under these circumstances.

“Maybe they expect us to keep quiet and just follow whatever they do. Sorry, I can’t do that,” he said.

“It’s not easy to swallow this, but this is life and this is politics.”

The party also suspended its former vice-president and Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein, Maulizan Bujang and Salim Sharif for six years.

Umno also sacked former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar for breaching party discipline during the 15th general election.

Shahril said although he still valued the friendships that he had forged in the party, it was difficult for him to accept the party’s disciplinary action.

He said it was still too early to plan his next step. For now, he hopes to continue contributing to the development of the nation in any way he can.