UMNO Deputy President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was suspended because he had failed to carry out his duty to help party President, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Kedah Menteri Besar Kedah Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said the decision was not made to prevent him from speaking out.
"I see the action as apt because as Deputy President, he should help to strengthen the party, not weaken it.
"Nevertheless, Muhyiddin is still the UMNO Pagoh Division chief," he told reporters after handing over 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) here, today.
At the Supreme Council (MT) meeting yesterday, UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor announced Muhyiddin's suspension as Deputy President with immediate effect and the duties would be performed by vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said many criticisms were hurled over the issue of Muhyiddin's suspension but the party machinery would be mobilised to explain to the people why the action was carried out.
In Kuala Lumpur, the UMNO wanita chief had questioned Muhyiddin Yassin's absence at the MT meeting which was seen as the best platform to explain his action for flouting the party regulation and spirit of struggle.
Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said Muhyiddin was informed of the meeting and he could explain his actions.
"Prior to this, we hear many stories that he had attended anti-Najib campaigns and other functions which clearly flouted the spirit of the party struggle," she told reporters when opening a transit centre for the homeless here, today.
Yesterday, Tengku Adnan said Muhyiddin had been told about the meeting but the latter informed via faximile that he could not attend.
In Padang Terap, UMNO MT member Datuk Mahdzir Khalid regarded the suspension of Muhyiddin as normal in politics.
Mahdzir, who is also Kedah UMNO Liaison Committee deputy chairman, said solidarity was the main key in a political party to face the general election.
Meanwhile, in RAWANG, Selangor, Gerakan President Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong believed the decision made by UMNO leadership to suspend Muhyiddin was in the interest of the party.
He was also confident that the UMNO leadership has gone through due consideration before making the decision.
"I think every party has its own way. Other parties have also made their internal decisions to take certain actions.
"I am sure decision made was in the best for the party," he told reporters at the Selangor Gerakan Youth Chinese New Year 2016 open house in Serendah near here, today.
Asked whether the issue would effect Barisan Nasional during the Sarawak state election which was expected to be held in April, Mah expressed confidence that the party's election machinery would be able to use the right strategy to ensure victory.
In Kuala Lumpur, Tengku Adnan said Muhyiddin's suspension was in accordance with stipulated procedure.
He said the motion to suspend Muhyiddin was submitted unanimously, discussed more than two hours by MT members and the decision made was in accordance with UMNO's constitution.
"What didn't follow SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)? We have told him not to do anything like what he had done such as the ceramah at the Sultan Sulaiman Club and other places.
"I don't understand what SOP he wants. We suspend him, not sack him as UMNO member. We suspend his post because his post should rightly aid the president," he said.
Tengku Adnan, who is also Federal Territories Minister, said this when asked to comment on Muhyiddin's claim purportedly MT had flouted the disciplinary procedure on the suspension of the post.
In Kota Baharu, Kelantan UMNO Liaison chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said UMNO needed solid leadership and unity in the party to continue its agenda to look after the welfare of the people and develop the nation.
He said any disruption taking place in the party would surely bring difficulty to the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"We want to ensure Najib's leadership, who was mandated by the people at the last general election, will administer this country for five years, we want to ensure the Prime Minister receives solid support so that he can continue the mandate," he said.
In Besut, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the MT decision to suspend Muhyiddin was not done in haste or due to hostility with anyone.
He said it was made after a discussion by taking into account many factors in the interest of the party.
He said Muhyiddin is still an UMNO member and his suspension is in his capacity as Deputy President who is seen as no longer prepared to help the party President.
Kedah Menteri Besar Kedah Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said the decision was not made to prevent him from speaking out.
"I see the action as apt because as Deputy President, he should help to strengthen the party, not weaken it.
"Nevertheless, Muhyiddin is still the UMNO Pagoh Division chief," he told reporters after handing over 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) here, today.
At the Supreme Council (MT) meeting yesterday, UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor announced Muhyiddin's suspension as Deputy President with immediate effect and the duties would be performed by vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said many criticisms were hurled over the issue of Muhyiddin's suspension but the party machinery would be mobilised to explain to the people why the action was carried out.
In Kuala Lumpur, the UMNO wanita chief had questioned Muhyiddin Yassin's absence at the MT meeting which was seen as the best platform to explain his action for flouting the party regulation and spirit of struggle.
Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said Muhyiddin was informed of the meeting and he could explain his actions.
"Prior to this, we hear many stories that he had attended anti-Najib campaigns and other functions which clearly flouted the spirit of the party struggle," she told reporters when opening a transit centre for the homeless here, today.
Yesterday, Tengku Adnan said Muhyiddin had been told about the meeting but the latter informed via faximile that he could not attend.
In Padang Terap, UMNO MT member Datuk Mahdzir Khalid regarded the suspension of Muhyiddin as normal in politics.
Mahdzir, who is also Kedah UMNO Liaison Committee deputy chairman, said solidarity was the main key in a political party to face the general election.
Meanwhile, in RAWANG, Selangor, Gerakan President Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong believed the decision made by UMNO leadership to suspend Muhyiddin was in the interest of the party.
He was also confident that the UMNO leadership has gone through due consideration before making the decision.
"I think every party has its own way. Other parties have also made their internal decisions to take certain actions.
"I am sure decision made was in the best for the party," he told reporters at the Selangor Gerakan Youth Chinese New Year 2016 open house in Serendah near here, today.
Asked whether the issue would effect Barisan Nasional during the Sarawak state election which was expected to be held in April, Mah expressed confidence that the party's election machinery would be able to use the right strategy to ensure victory.
In Kuala Lumpur, Tengku Adnan said Muhyiddin's suspension was in accordance with stipulated procedure.
He said the motion to suspend Muhyiddin was submitted unanimously, discussed more than two hours by MT members and the decision made was in accordance with UMNO's constitution.
"What didn't follow SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)? We have told him not to do anything like what he had done such as the ceramah at the Sultan Sulaiman Club and other places.
"I don't understand what SOP he wants. We suspend him, not sack him as UMNO member. We suspend his post because his post should rightly aid the president," he said.
Tengku Adnan, who is also Federal Territories Minister, said this when asked to comment on Muhyiddin's claim purportedly MT had flouted the disciplinary procedure on the suspension of the post.
In Kota Baharu, Kelantan UMNO Liaison chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said UMNO needed solid leadership and unity in the party to continue its agenda to look after the welfare of the people and develop the nation.
He said any disruption taking place in the party would surely bring difficulty to the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"We want to ensure Najib's leadership, who was mandated by the people at the last general election, will administer this country for five years, we want to ensure the Prime Minister receives solid support so that he can continue the mandate," he said.
In Besut, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the MT decision to suspend Muhyiddin was not done in haste or due to hostility with anyone.
He said it was made after a discussion by taking into account many factors in the interest of the party.
He said Muhyiddin is still an UMNO member and his suspension is in his capacity as Deputy President who is seen as no longer prepared to help the party President.
