The sacking of Muhyiddin Yassin as Deputy Prime Minister is not something new, said Umno vice president Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said even his grandfather and Umno founder Onn Jaafar had been rejected by the party, but stressed such things should not rip the party in two.

"This is not something new, we have faced similar situations but we closed ranks, and emerged as a stronger and more united party," he said.

Speaking at the opening of the Batu Umno division annual meeting today, Hishammuddin related how Umno had chosen the party's interests over Onn's proposal to open Umno to non Malays.

Similarly he said, Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman had quit his post as home minister due to disagreements with then prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, but stayed in the party.

"But Onn's vision is now realised in BN. [...] Likewise Ismail was rewarded (for staying in the party) when Abdul Razak made him deputy prime minister," he said.

Unity was the core theme of Hishammuddin's speech today, amid tensions within the party following Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's decision to sack Muhyiddin ( photo ) from the Cabinet.

Hishammuddin said he had visit several divisions in Johor yesterday and found the situation to be calm.

He also expressed relief after Muhyiddin urged his supporters to put the party above their emotions.

"Johor Umno stands strong," Hishammuddin said.

The vice president's assurance however does not appear to reflect the situation on the ground.

While Hishammuddin spoke from Kuala Lumpur of how all was well in Johor, in the state itself, but the Kluang division moved a motion demanding Najib explain several hot issues.

This includes explanations on Altanthuya Shaariibuu’s murder, the ongoing 1MDB scandal and the purchase of the new VIP government jet exposed by PKR Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli.