No more democracy in Umno, says Muhyiddin

PETALING JAYA: Umno is no longer democratic, claimed Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, following the decision by Umno’s supreme council to suspend him as deputy president.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Muhyiddin, who was sacked as deputy prime minister last year, said the supreme council did not follow disciplinary procedures when suspending him.

“When amendments were made to Umno’s constitution to allow the grassroots to elect the main leader of the party, Umno was seen as the most democratic party in the country.

“However, the supreme council’s decision (to suspend him) does not portray Umno as a democratic party.

"The voices of the majority of the members, even the majority of the public, was arbitrarily sidelined by the supreme council,” said Muhyiddin.

On Friday, the supreme council unanimously suspended Muhyiddin until the next party elections. He was deemed not to have discharged his obligations as required under the party constitution. He, however, retained his position as Pagoh Umno chief.

Muhyiddin said that the supreme council did not follow proper disciplinary procedures in suspending him.

“I was not served a show cause letter or given time to defend myself. I did not face the disciplinary board for them to then make a recommendation to the supreme council.

“Ordinary members were given the opportunity to defend themselves while I was immediately punished.

“What has happened to Umno’s values? Gone are the values of honesty, sincerity and courage to state our rights and to oppose falsehood,” he said.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is deputy prime minister, will assume the deputy president's responsibilities.