It is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's right to reshuffle the cabinet and drop Muhyiddin Yassin as his deputy, said a minister.

Hishammuddin Hussein, who has been maintained as defence minister in the reshuffle, said all must abide by the decision.

"Don't be hasty, don't be emotional. This is the prime minister's right.

"The prime minister has decided so we must close ranks and abide by the decision," Hishammuddin, who is also Najib’s cousin, told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

He hoped that Muhyiddin's supporters would also place Umno and the country above their emotions.

Hishammuddin also noted that this was not the first time such a reshuffle had taken place.

"This is not new, this is the prerogative of the prime minister and it has been done before by former prime ministers," he said.

He was referring to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's sacking of Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.

The defence minister declined to comment when asked if Muhyiddin ( photo ) should quit as Umno deputy president.

"That is not for me to decide," he said.

'Country's interests are priority'

Speaking to reporters at the launch of the Defence Services Asia 2016 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Hishammuddin also said wished his fellow Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi all the best as the new deputy premier.

"I hope he will carry out his duties well and inclusively and ensure the country's interests are always the priority," he said.

Hishammuddin was personally glad he was maintained in the cabinet, but said what was important was serving the people.

"It is a responsibility. Whether I stay or don't stay, we just carry on our responsibilities for the people and for our nation. That's the best I can say for the time being but I'm relieved I'm still here," he said.

Earlier during a press conference before Najib announced the reshuffle, Hishammuddin had said the decision to replace Abdul Gani Patail as attorney-general was also not about individuals.

He said it did not matter that Gani's replacement Mohamed Apandi ( photo ) Ali was a former Kelantan Umno treasurer as he now represents the AG's Chambers.

"It is not about past positions. [...] he must make sure what he does is responsible, the public has to have confidence in him.

"As the AG you represent the AGC, and it comes with it a responsibility to ensure that the AGC is respected," he said.

Sweeping developments today also saw Nur Jazlan Mohamad appointed as deputy minister, necessitating him to step down as chair of the Public Accounts Committee.

Coupled with Gani's removal, the move has been viewed as an attempt by Najib to quash any possible threats to his premiership.

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