Dropped deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin must have committed a "great crime", said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the former's sacking.

Mahathir gave this response, albeit sarcastically, when asked whether he was flattered that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had followed his footsteps by sacking his deputy.

The former PM however pointed out that when he was in power, he had not sacked his deputies for failing to support him.

"(Former deputy prime minister) Musa (Hitam) resigned on his own, I didn't ask him to resign," he said during a press conference after launching former information minister Zainuddin Maidin's book 'Mahathir is Not My Friend' at the latter's cafe today.

"(And I) found that Anwar had committed something that I could not accept.

"I suppose Muhyiddin must have committed some great crime so he should be removed.

"All criminals should be removed in this country, we won't allow criminals to rule this country," said Mahathir, his trademark sarcasm evident.

'A prime minister's right'

Meanwhile, when asked whether it was proper for Muhyiddin to be sacked just for being vocal on 1MDB, Mahathir said Najib does have the prerogative.

"It is the right of the prime minister," he said.

Many believe that Muhyiddin was primarily sacked for being vocal on the 1MDB controversy.

Muhyiddin, in his explosive speech last Sunday, had said, among others, that there was no one who could truly explain the 1MDB issue, even in cabinet.

He said even those who talked about 1MDB did not even understand what the problem faced by the debt-ridden company was and said Najib is the only person who could clarify the matter to the public.

Muhyiddin was then unceremoniously dumped from the cabinet by Najib on Tuesday, who announced that Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would replace him as deputy prime minister.

Muhyiddin has since said he believes his position as Umno deputy president was not threatened and has said that he will not fight back against his dismissal from the cabinet.

Related reports

'Umno allows trust account under president's name'

'Where's Paul Low when MACC officials arrested?'

29 nabbed as cops quash #TangkapNajib rally

MACC prosecutor on 1MDB trail also arrested

Cops nab ex-MACC adviser, AG's Chambers officer

'MACC and AGC arrests to intimidate task force?'

'Muhyiddin may face Umno discipline for leaked video'

MP slams Zahid's double standards on leaked video

Najib: I'll show Umno's money if opposition does

PM using DAP to cover up RM2.6b, says Loke

Mahathir may stay clear of 1MDB for fear of police

Dr M: Those who came to me now back Najib again

'I only sacked criminal DPM, what about Najib?'

After reshuffle, PM urged to crack down on enemies

Negri MB roasts Muhyiddin for not backing Najib

PM: S'wak Report cannot decide M'sia's leader

'No trouble brewing in Johor despite DPM ouster'

PM assures grassroots 1MDB debts being slashed

Don't be emotional, ousted Umno leaders' supporters told

No smoke without fire in 'PM's charge sheet'

Police deny arresting sacked AG Gani Patail

Jasa booklets 'explain' Najib woes at Umno meet

US to steer clear of Najib's scandal in KL visit

Toppling Najib or the government?

Make AG account to Parliament, says Aziz Bari

Pre-emptive strike against ‘arrest PM’ plan?

'RM2.6b in PM's accounts' not a private matter

Najib can only delay, but not prevent his exit