Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin urged Umno members to stop labelling him a traitor, saying he had loyally served the party for almost four decades.
The Umno deputy president said he had done much for the party including rebuilding its Johor chapter after it was declared illegal in 1988.
"I have remained loyal to Umno through various crises. So don't be so quick to call me a traitor and ask me to step down.
"A Selangor division chief is among those calling for me to step down, even though his own members are asking him to quit," he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page tonight.
Muhyiddin’s statement comes against a backdrop of speculation, which was fuelled by his sacking from Cabinet as deputy prime minister, that he would be removed from his party post at the next Umno Supreme Council meeting on September 9.
Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos demanded that the party sack Muhyiddin from his post while Sri Gading Umno chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi wanted the deputy president disciplined for criticising Datuk Seri Najib Razak over 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Muhyiddin added they had accused him of being a traitor, demanded for him to be brought before the disciplinary board and called for his resignation.All this because I've spoken the truth in order to save the party," he said.
The axed deputy prime minister issued a reminder that he had built the party up after it was declared unlawful and added that he would not back down from defending the Umno.
"However, all this would not deter me, what else undermines my fighting spirit to continue to defend the dignity of religion, race and nation.
"I am confident that the Malays will not be humiliated as long as we hold fast to the teachings of Islam, making the principles of truth and justice as a guide in life and led by leaders who trust and fear God." he said.
Jamal, in a statement early in August had said that Muhyiddin should withdraw from the political arena and allow other leaders to continue with the party's struggle.
He said Muhyiddin's open criticism of Najib led to the opposition parties to take advantage and sensationalise the 1MDB isssue.
He added that if Muhyiddin sincerely wished to help the party, he would have made every effort to foster and strengthen the party.
"Instead, he has caused internal rife," Jamal had said. – August 26, 2015.
THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER
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