Despite being labelled all sorts of things, former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin still thinks that it is his responsibility to make sure Umno members understand the real issues happening within the party.

Speaking about the Citizens' Declaration which he signed along with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir, Muhyiddin said it was meant to get rid of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and not to ruin Umno.

"I don't care if they say I'm useless, it's fine. Mahathir is criticised, Mukhriz is insulted. But it's okay.

"What's important is the rakyat must understand, Umno members must understand. We in the party were not forced to become members. We are in the party to fight for our race and religion," he said in a 'Save Malaysia' ceramah in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan last night.

The Pagoh MP added that he does not mind becoming a "sacrifice" and is fine with what happened to him as long as people know about what happened to Najib (photo) and the issues surrounding him, that is 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion found in his personal bank accounts.

"It has never happened in our history. Where do we have a prime minister who has done this? None.

"When we have issues like this, we need to be brave. I sacrificed and was sacrificed. It's fine and I accept it. It's not a big deal.

"But to decide the fate of our people, religion and country and ensure they are not sacrificed, to me that is more important and the people must understand, especially those who are still in the party," he said.

Muhyiddin was removed as deputy prime minister in July last year and then suspended as Umno deputy president in February this year.

This follows Muhyiddin's vocal criticisms of Najib's administration, especially when it comes to the issues of 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation.