Umno leaders laud Muhyiddin’s decision to stay

Supreme Council Members believe Muhyiddin Yassin still has a role to play in Umno.

PETALING JAYA: Umno leaders have praised Muhyiddin Yassin for pledging his loyalty to the party and remaining a member despite being suspended as deputy president last week.

Umno Supreme Council member Aziz Kaprawi equated Muhyiddin’s decision to stay with the party to that of an “Umno fighter” and said it was the “right move.”

“The Supreme Council has a responsibility to uphold the party’s constitution and rules. Our main ‘war’ is the 14th general election and we want to strengthen the party, not weaken it.

“We appreciate’s Muhyiddin’s stand. I personally am appreciative of his move and the declaration of his love for Umno.

“I hope he doesn’t put his personal interests above the party’s interests and that he loves Umno sincerely,” the deputy transport minister told FMT when contacted today.

Meanwhile, Supreme Council member Salleh Said Keruak, said Muhyiddin’s decision to remain as a member would help strengthen the party as it readied itself to face the next general election.

“Let us not bring down the president, it’s not what the party wants.

“Bringing down the president is like bringing down the party,” the communications and multimedia minister said.

He added that Muhyiddin still had a role to play as Umno Pagoh chief and Pagoh MP, despite being suspended as the party’s deputy president.

Meanwhile Johor Menteri Besar and state Umno chairman Mohamed Khalid Nordin echoed Aziz’s sentiments, saying it was a “wise decision” for Muhyiddin to remain in Umno.

Earlier today, Muhyiddin said he would not quit the party, which he regarded as his “flesh and blood”, despite calls by some quarters to do so.