NAJIB TO PUSH DISCIPLINARY BOARD TO SUSPEND MUHYIDDIN BEFORE DECEMBER ASSEMBLY - PARTY SOURCES

Umno is set to suspend Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin before its general assembly in December, said party insiders, following the deputy president’s continuous attacks against president Datuk Seri Najib Razak over state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the RM2.6 billion “donation” deposited into his accounts.

The insiders said the Supreme Council was preparing charge papers against Muhyiddin, to be submitted to the disciplinary board along with evidence of his offences.

The move is being taken to prevent Muhyiddin from continuing to attack the Umno leadership during the officiating ceremony of the assembly in December, which will involve all wings of the party.

The decision to postpone the Supreme Council meeting today was also said to prepare for Muhyiddin’s sacking.

Among the offences Muhyiddin allegedly committed are his statements on 1MDB and persistent questioning of the RM2.6 billion “donation” credited into Najib’s account despite the latter’s explanation.

“Muhyiddin will be suspended before the December assembly. There are some concerns among the top party leadership that he will continue to criticise during the officiating of the wings’ meetings later.

“They are preparing the charge papers to be brought to the disciplinary board,” a source told The Malaysian Insider.

When Muhyiddin were suspended, vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would take over the deputy president’s post until party elections in 2018, the source added.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is set to take over the deputy president’s post until party elections in 2018 when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is sacked, say sources.

Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Yunos said Muhyiddin’s action of going behind the back of the Supreme Council was unethical.

“Tan Sri Muhyiddin has brought up the RM2.6 billion and 1MDB issues but those matters had been answered in the last Supreme Council meeting. In fact, he backed the leadership but when he goes out, it is a different thing.

“This sort of people are unethical and liars. They say one thing in front of you and another behind you,” he told The Malaysian Insider, commenting on the last Supreme Council meeting on September 9.

He also said the Umno division chiefs in a Telegram chat group, including Bagan Datoh head Ahmad Zahid, also discussed whether action should be taken against Muhyiddin.

“We do gather the opinions of all division chiefs, so those in the party who have become ‘gunting dalam lipatan’ like what the prime minister said during the tabling of the Budget 2016 on October 23 must face action,” said Jamal, referring to traitors through the Malay proverb.

“The majority are asking for action to be taken against these traitors. Either sack or suspend them from all posts before they destroy the party,” said Jamal.

However, Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir said the “gunting dalam lipatan” comment should be explained to Umno members first.

“We don’t know who it is, but the decision is that we really don’t want such traitors in Umno.

“But we don’t know what it means, so the president has to explain… especially the statement made during the tabling of the budget,” Aziz said.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said on Wednesday seven leaders faced suspension after publicly disparaging the party.

He, however, refused to disclose their identities but said that a committee was looking into the matter.

Besides Muhyiddin, Aziz was also rumoured to be one of the seven.

“Tenku Adnan has to take immediate action if it is true about the seven,” Aziz said.

He said that was the best move to restore stability in the party.

However, Aziz said there were a few processes which have to be followed before disciplinary action could be taken against Muhyiddin or any of the seven.

“First, identify the offences and second, bring it to the disciplinary board. Then the Supreme Council has to make a decision whether to support action to be taken against the offender. It doesn’t matter if it is sacking, suspension or warning.”

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Kota Raja Umno division deputy chief Mohd Hamidi Abu Bakar, however, said action against Muhyiddin would not benefit Umno.

Instead, he said the party should hold elections if it really wanted to resolve matters without causing more adverse effects.

“Have the elections next year, if the grassroots do not like it, we can reject Muhyiddin and replace him.

“I think the grassroots will go with it. If I feel the old is good, we will choose it but if it is not, we can replace him with others.”

The party elections have been postponed by 18 months and will only be held after the 14th general election, which is due in 2018.

Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said he was not aware of the seven leaders.

“I have not heard about it. I don’t have any information about that although the secretary-general is my good friend.

“There are people talking about it (seven to be suspended), but I don’t know,” Shahidan said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Najib reshuffled the Cabinet in July, in a bid to neutralise critics in the government, dropping Muhyiddin and another vice-president, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. – TMI