Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin has urged the party’s Youth wing to be bold in speaking up on issues affected the party and the country.

This is to ensure a bright future ahead, he told the audience at the Petaling Jaya Utara Umno Youth division delegates’ meeting.

“Even though things can be difficult at first, the Umno Youth movement’s role as a discussant of the people’s future should be strengthened.

“The youth needs to be bold. The youth need to step forward to speak up on the major issues, not quieten down.

“Give your views without fear or concern,” the recently dismissed deputy prime minister said in his opening speech at the divisional Youth wing’s AGM at the Crystal Crown Hotel in Petaling Jaya today.

Malaysiakini was barred from entering the event venue.

Muhyiddin, who was also education minister, was removed from the cabinet recently for being critical about the 1MDB issue.

In his speech today, he defended his action, saying this was done through a “proper platform”, which is through the party and the cabinet.

He said he meant no malice to the party by his actions, and only did what was necessary.

“If the 1MDB issue is not managed wisely with a solution, that will bring the best closure to the people… if 1MDB falls, BN will fall too.

“Therefore I do not have malice. I will say it again: It is not with malice that I spoke in the cabinet. I don’t want the government to fall because we failed to manage the 1MDB issue,” Muhyiddin added.