Sanusi claimed that there was a push to have him replaced by state secretary Norizan Khazali, Berita Harian reported.

However, he admitted he had no proof to back his claim as the move to oust him had yet to materialise.

“I am talking about this before it actually happens and I cannot allow it (his removal from the council) to happen,” he was quoted as saying.

Sanusi said any effort to remove him from the council would go against convention.

The NFC is chaired by the prime minister and comprises the Cabinet as well as chief ministers or menteris besar.

He claimed that he was being removed because he was a vocal critic of the government.

Last month, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denied Sanusi’s allegations that the latter was barred from attending federal government events, saying there was no official letter or circular.

Sanusi, however, insisted he had a source who had informed him of such a ban, but admitted he had no evidence to back his claim.