'Muhyiddin, Shafie, Mukhriz no longer Umno's favourite sons'

For the crime of going against party president Najib Abdul Razak, his former deputy Muhyiddin Yassin, sacked Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir and former minister Shafie Apdal are no longer Umno's favourite sons, said Umno supreme council member Mohd Ali Rustam.

As such, he said, they are no longer worthy to represent Umno in the coming general election, as they have betrayed the party's struggle in their slander against the party president.

"If they (Muhyiddin, Shafie and Mukhriz) no longer support Umno and the prime minister, it is not appropriate for them to represent the party (in the next general election)," he told reporters at the Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said this when asked if the three leaders are still eligible to contest for seats representing Umno in the coming polls.

Ali, who is also a senator, said that Muhyiddin, Shafie and Mukhriz are not only no longer worthy to represent Umno, but should no longer be included in the party's highest leadership lineup.

"If they continue to question the leadership and Umno... then it is not appropriate for them to continue to be in the council itself.

"This has always been the party discipline from way back; even if you don't agree with the supreme council, when a decision is made, we abide by it,” said Ali, a former Umno vice-president.

Muhyiddin, Shafie and Mukhriz had led the anti-Najib faction within Umno, and had questioned him with regard to the 1MDB and RM2.6 billion donation scandals.

They have since been stripped of their government posts and party honours, and are facing disciplinary action. -Mkini