The Umno man plotting against the government failed to turn up at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's private residence last week because he did not want to be photographed by the media.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this in response to critics who questioned whether such a plotter existed.

"I know of the (Umno leader) because I was at the meeting to arrange his meeting with the prime minister.

"He did not turn up because he did not want his photo taken by the media," Zahid said at the Sekijang Umno division annual meeting in Johor today.

Zahid continued to be elusive about the supposedly old Umno man's identity, but claimed the man was the choice for prime minister should Najib be ousted by a no confidence vote.

Is Zahid referring to Ku Li?

The deputy premier had previously said the man would turn up at Najib's house last Sunday, prompting a crowd of journalists to wait outside.

After hours of waiting, only Najib turned up, and the media soon left.

Zahid has said that he will ensure the meeting between the prime minister and the alleged plotter takes place.

He still continued to be elusive on the identity of the person, but revealed that he was prime minister of choice of those seeking to oust Najib through a no-confidence vote.

It is believed that Zahid is referring to Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Tengku Razaleigh, better known as Ku Li, had reportedly accepted PAS invitation for him to become prime minister if Pakatan had won in 2013.

The former rival of ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad however has denied being the man mentioned by Zahid.