Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the sacking of Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir shows that the party takes a serious view of members who flout the rules.

"This decision was made as the party is very concerned by the actions of a former deputy president and former state liaison chairman who are in cahoots with the opposition against the party and the government.

"So, I think this action is reasonable. It should have been made much earlier," Tengku Adnan told reporters In Kuala Lumpur today.

Earlier, Umno president Najib Abdul Razak announced that Muhyiddin, who was suspended from the deputy president's post, was sacked from the party, together with Mukhriz, for indiscipline.

The membership of Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal was suspended pending a report from the Umno disciplinary committee, Najib told a press conference after the Umno supreme council meeting today.

Umno information chief Annuar Musa said the issue of the two leaders had been raised many times but disciplinary action was deferred until the breach of discipline became worse.

"I think in politics, nobody is bigger than the party. Those who choose to violate the party rules have only themselves to blame, not us," Annuar added.

Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the decision to sack the duo would not hurt the party since they were of no help.

"I hope this will serve as advice or warning to other Umno members that we are here to fight a cause and should not be disappointed and rebel against the party," he added.

Deputy Defence Minister Mohd Johari Baharum said the duo's sacking was reasonable as they openly used the Umno platform to attack Najib.

"The sacking means that they cannot use the Umno platform to meet members, unless via programmes organised by the opposition."

- Bernama