Even as Umno is reportedly mulling action against its deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, a party leader has assured he will do what he can to to save the party's number two from being suspended.

Umno supreme council member Nazri Abdul Aziz said the Malay party should be big enough to allow dissent within its ranks.

"We were supposed to conduct a supreme council meeting today (Oct 30). But in the next meeting, I will speak up. I will try my best to ensure he (Muhyiddin) is not suspended.

"As a party which is celebrating its 70th anniversary next year, we must have enough space for differing opinions and dissidents," Nazri told Malaysiakini yesterday.

"If Muhyiddin ( left in photo ) had wanted to do this (topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak), he would have done it with Dr Mahathir Mohamad a long time ago," he said.

He also said Muhyiddin should remain in his elected post until the next party election.

"Let him continue until his tenure ends. Then, I will ask Zahid (party vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) to fight him. I am sure Muhyiddin will lose," Nazri added.

‘Only supreme council can suspend’

However, Nazri admitted he was in the dark about party's decision and alleged actions against Muhyiddin.

According to him, he made the decision to defend Muhyiddin after he read reports on the statement made by party secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

He said he wasn't aware if Muhyiddin was one of the seven leaders whom Tengku Adnan threatened to suspend.

Last month, Tengku Adnan revealed that seven Umno leaders were being investigated , when asked why no action had been taken against former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for publicly calling for Najib’s ouster.

The party secretary-general had added that the suspension of the seven was a possibility as the party was 'sick and tired' of their attacks.

When asked again about the alleged plot to oust Muhyiddin at a closed-door meeting attended by over 100 Umno division leaders, Nazri said only the supreme council has the right to make such a decision.

"No, we have to do this in a supreme council meeting. Only the supreme council can make the decision," he said.

Nazri also rubbished Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos’ claim about the alleged plot to get rid of Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin was dropped from Najib’s cabinet last July, together with another 1MDB critic Mohd Shafie Apdal, who is an Umno vice-president.

Last Saturday, Muhyiddin released his strongest statement yet, calling Umno leaders ' cowards ' for not speaking up at a time of national crisis.

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