Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin may not have openly challenged his boss Najib Abdul Razak, but it appears he may already be garnering support from the Umno leadership.

Menteri Besar of the Minangkabau state Negri Sembilan Mohamad Hasan said today he would stick with the party's leadership through rough political seas.

"We are together with you (Muhyiddin) and the top leadership to see our country through, whatever may happen.

"Gelora tak gelora, (rough seas or calm waters) we must paddle our ship together," Mohamad ( photo ) said at a rural innovations awards ceremony attended by Muhyiddin in Rembau today.

Mohamad's speech seemed to mimick that of Najib's about Bugis admirals never surrendering to attacks.

However, the Negri Sembilan MB did not mention Najib in his speech.

Muhyiddin is currently at odds with Najib.

In a recently leaked video clip , the deputy prime minister was caught calling for the directors of 1Malaysia Development Bhd, Najib's debt-troubled brainchild, to be sacked.

This prompted some to shout "sack the (Umno) president (Najib)".

Observers have pegged Muhyiddin as the most likely candidate to replace Najib, should the ongoing efforts to oust Najib succeed.