'Muhyiddin can't challenge party decision in court or ROS'

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today said the Umno supreme council's decision to suspend Muhyiddin Yassin as party deputy president cannot be challenged in court or with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

"According to Section 18C of the Societies Act 1966, party disputes or decisions cannot be challenged in court," he said in a statement today.

Tengku Adnan added that Section 16 of the Societies Act, which allows the ROS to de-register the party if disputes are not settled, did not apply in the case of Muhyiddin's suspension.

"The only appropriate channel is within the party," he said.

Tengku Adnan said the supreme council exercised its "existing and residual powers" to suspend Muhyiddin and this was not the same as sacking under clause 9.12 of the party constitution.

He added that the suspension was according to clause 10.15 of the Umno constitution.

"The Umno supreme council is the highest decision-making body in the absence of the annual general assembly. This is clearly stated in clause 9.1 of the Umno constitution.

"Whatever decision made by the supreme council will be conveyed to the general assembly when the time comes," he said.

Muhyiddin was last week suspended as Umno deputy president for his public criticism of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also Umno president.

Muhyiddin today claimed his suspension was not according to procedure, saying he would take the matter up with the ROS.

He added that he will remain as an Umno member even though former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had quit the party in protest against Najib whom he accused of corruption.

'Best platform'

In a related development, Umno supreme council member, Azalina Othman Said, who is a Najib loyalist, said Muhyiddin's decision to remain in Umno was proof that the party remains the best platform.

"Muhyiddin's decision to remain in Umno was expected and it proves that Umno is the best platform for the struggle to defend religion, race, and country.

"His missteps before this had cost him and he has clearly failed to muster support at all levels of Umno," she said in a statement today.

She added that the Umno supreme council would act against anyone who breached party discipline regardless of their position.

"Any (Umno) member must abide by the party decision," she said, adding that they must also be loyal to their leaders. ---Mkini