He said the sackings, suspensions and warnings meted out by the Bersatu disciplinary board were the right move to ensure all leaders toe the party line and comply with its constitution.

Tun Faisal believes that the board’s actions were proportionate and fair, opening opportunities for others to fill leadership positions in the party.

“Umno can take back all these problematic former leaders and members for their mutual ‘benefit’.

“Bersatu will continue being inclusive and making room for those who have greater integrity and loyalty,” he said in a Facebook post.

On Friday, Bersatu sacked two Kedah assemblymen, Abdul Razak Khamis (Sungai Tiang) and Dzowahir Ab Ghani (Suka Menanti), as well as deputy youth chief Faiz Rahmad for breaching the party constitution and its code of conduct and ethics.

It also suspended seven leaders for two terms, namely Perak assemblymen Ahmad Man (Kuala Sepetang) and Syed Lukman Hakim Syed Zin (Chenderoh); Perak MP Nordin Ahmad Ismail (Lumut); Pahang MP Khalib Abdullah (Rompin); Kelantan MPs Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah) and Khlir Nor (Ketereh); and Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu).

Some of them claimed they were sacked because of their close ties with Hamzah Zainudin, who was sacked from Bersatu in February at the height of a leadership tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Bersatu currently has 19 MPs left in the Dewan Rakyat after sacking six, including Hamzah, in the course of the past year. However, of the 19 MPs, the majority of them are aligned with Hamzah.

Several top leaders have also been slapped with suspensions, including Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee (Beluran MP) and Wanita chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah MP).