Muhyiddin Yassin's decision not to appeal against his sacking from Umno shows that he is no longer interested in staying with the party, says supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

"Umno is always open to appeals from members but Muhyiddin did not take the opportunity to do so.

"The question about Muhyiddin not getting any show-cause letter from the supreme council or Umno's disciplinary board also does not arise as he knew the limitations for its issuance.

"He said Umno is his flesh and blood, but why did he not appeal? That's why I feel he knew that he had crossed the line," Puad said.

He said he personally felt that Muhyiddin was no longer interested in being with Umno in its struggle.

"If he feels that it was unfair, he should appeal on why he was not issued a show- cause letter, because he had been a deputy president and management committee chairman handling many discipline cases," Puad said.

He told reporters this at a 'Program Kasih Ramadan' organised by the Special Affairs Department, attended by about 1,000 of its staff in Kota Baru last night.

Last Friday, the supreme council sacked Muhyiddin and Mukhriz Mahathir for breach of discipline, while Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal's membership was suspended pending a report from the party's disciplinary board.

Asked about the Pagoh Umno division's dissatisfaction over Muhyiddin's sacking, Puad said the grassroots members might have been intimidated with the action taken against their chief.

"For me, they did not give a solid reason for rejecting the supreme council's decision. But we understand... they might have been feeling pressured at the time. Give them time to think more rationally," he said.

- Bernama