Tun Faisal said Khaliq was simply replaced by another member appointed to the Supreme Council.

“This is normal for appointed Supreme Council members. Other parties have a similar practice,” he said in a Facebook post.

Earlier today, it was reported that Khaliq had been dropped from the Bersatu Supreme Council, just nine months after he was appointed to the party’s top leadership.

In a protest against the decision, Khaliq announced his resignation as the chairman of Bersatu’s legal and constitution bureau.

The Kepala Batas Bersatu chief said his removal as an appointed Bersatu Supreme Council member was a result of him not fully supporting party president Muhyiddin Yassin’s stand on “certain matters”.

Khaliq also expressed hope that in future, appointments to the Supreme Council will be made based on capability, credibility and principles, rather than having “yes men” appointed to the leadership.

Tun Faisal said, however, that nobody in the party is expected to be a “yes man”.

“The Supreme Council serves as a point of reference for party members, and its members must be among the most well-versed in the party’s constitution, policies, and decisions,” he said.

He also said Muhyiddin and Bersatu has always been inclusive and open to diverse views and collaborations with others, as long as these were carried out in accordance with the party’s constitution, policy decisions, and proper channels.

Khaliq’s removal from the Bersatu Supreme Council is the latest development in the party’s ongoing turmoil, with Muhyiddin facing multiple calls to step down as its president.

The turmoil has led to the sacking of Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, the suspension of Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, and the removal of Saifuddin Abdullah as Pahang Perikatan Nasional chief.