Former Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal has said that he would like to 'balik kampung' (return home) so that he can focus on helping Sabah.

He also said that he has rejected an offer from former Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin to become the deputy president in a new party.

"Muhyiddin asked me... about the new party and said, 'Shafie, you can be the deputy president and I will be the president'.

"But I said, it's okay. I don't want to be a president or deputy president of a party. There's no need.

"(Dr Mahathir Mohamad) will form it, Muhyiddin will be president and I will support whatever needs supporting.

"It's time for me to balik kampung. I have to help my people," the Semporna MP said in a speech at a Hari Raya celebration in Kota Belud, Sabah on Sunday, reported Sinar Harian.

He insisted that he did not enter politics to chase after titles, but to help the rakyat.

"Our fight will focus on Sabah and the rights of the people of Sabah. The development of urban and rural areas have to be balanced," said the former rural and regional development minister.

Mahathir had previously announced that he will be forming a new party as soon as possible, though the former prime minister later said they are currently exploring their avenues to do so.

Shafie was sacked from the cabinet in July last year, along with Muhyiddin, and he quit Umno after he was suspended as the party's vice-president.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin was sacked from the party after being suspended from his position as deputy president.