Johor Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin today said only one admiral can steer Umno, and that man is party president Najib Abdul Razak.

"Umno only has one admiral, that is the president and we must place our trust in him to steer this ship.

"But our respect for the deputy president (Muhyiddin Yassin) will not decrease," he told delegates at the Pasir Gudang Umno division annual meeting today.

In his speech as Umno Johor chief, Khaled urged hurt delegates to respect Najib's decision to sack Muhyiddin as deputy prime minister, as that was his perogative.

At the same time, he called on the party to continue respecting Muhyiddin, and not abandon him simply because he is no longer in the government.

Khaled said Johor Umno had high regard for values, and quoted a saying by legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah.

"Menurut biar berakal, menentang biar beradap (Follow diligently, and fight with manners)," he quoted.

Khaled said this in his second speech at the division meeting.

In his first speech, made before Najib arrived, the menteri besar said the Umno president had invited himself to this year's Pasir Gudang Umno division meeting.