The actions of Several Pagoh Umno division members who tendered their resignations to protest on the dismissal of Muhyiddin Yassin in the party, were seen as purely based on emotional sentiment, said Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein.

The Sembrong Member of Parliament said he totally understood the decisions made by the group but the emotional part could have been curbed, through sincere explanations and approach.

"I agree with the arguments by (Johor) Menteri Besar and Umno state liaison committee chairperson Mohamed Khaled Nordin on the matter (Muhyiddin's dismissal) and I believe if we hold on to consistency, (and) values of struggle, we will see that it does not linger around personal (matters) but on the party's interest.

"We saw that whatever was decided upon was based on discipline that ties us all including myself, as vIce-president... what we understood in Pagoh, there was emotional sentiment but I hope it would not spread to other divisions. So far, I do not see (that)," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the Sembrong parliamentary-level "Rahmat Ramadan, Khatam Al-Quran and Majlis Kesyukuran Jiwa Murni" programme at Felda Ulu Dengar in Kluang today.

Hishammuddin who is also defence minister, said the party, especially the Johor Umno, had never placed personal interest before party's interest since a long time ago.

"From the Musa Hitam issue, Dr Ismail issue when he was the home minister, (until) Onn Jaafar who was the Umno founder. When he (Onn Jaafar) exited Umno due to his advanced vision not accepted by Johor (Umno) and the Malays, it did not affect the party.

"(And) this is our value of the struggle and principles in Johor Umno. I hope we can continue to defend. I believe that is how we are taught, raised, asked to engage in politics... I think that is the right way," he said.

Asked whether the dismissal would affect the party in its preparations for the 14th general election he said it would not affect the Umno machinery especially in the Sembrong Parliamentary constituency.

This afternoon, the Pagoh Umno Division committee members, namely its 6th Mile Branch chief, Abd Aziz Hashim; Parit Medan Branch chief Mohd Solehan Badri and the branch committee member Abu Bakar Mohamed tendered their resignations to protest the sacking of Muhyiddin who was also Pagoh Umno division chief.

Muhyiddin was sacked along with former Kedah menteri besar, Mukhriz Mahathir, following announcement made by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, after a supreme council meeting yesterday.

The fate of suspended Umno vice-president Shafie Afdal would be decided pending reports from the party's disciplinary committee.

- Bernama