Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein has downplayed the spectre of an Umno revolt brewing in Johor following Muhyiddin Yassin’s removal as deputy prime minister.

He told reporters that despite the current political climate, the anger in Johor is not at the point where it could threaten Umno’s position.

“I myself, when I go (to meet the divisions) especially in Johor recently, the concern we have is that our delegates and members are anxious.

“Confused? Some are confused, but to say that they are so angry that it will affect the party’s position, I don’t see that yet,” Hishammuddin told reporters at a press conference after launching the Pandan Umno divisional delegates’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.

He also expressed relief that the situation in the Umno Pandan and nearby Gombak divisions  appeared to be under control, despite, historically, the Federal Territories and Selangor Umno divisions ‘feeling the heat’ whenever Umno faces challenges.

Earlier, Pandan Umno division chief Mohd Haniff Koslan in his speech called on party members to defend Najib Abdul Razka amid the controversies surrounding the prime minister and party president, to which the delegates cheered.

At Hishammuddin’s own divisional delegates’ meeting in Sembrong, Johor, yesterday, Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin ( photo ) called on Hishammuddin to speak up .

“If we let the issues drag, they will turn cancerous for the party. We need new hope and we have to act fast to solve the issues. No more waiting.

“It is not easy for us but we have to do it,” The Star Online quoted Khaled as saying, without elaborating what action he was seeking.

Muhyiddin, who also hails from Johor and is influential there, was removed from cabinet on July 28. Khaled had accompanied Muhyiddin in a meeting with the Johor sultan, soon afterwards.

In Parit Sulong, Johor, local Umno division chief Zulkarnain Kamisan kicked off the delegates’ meeting there with an anti-government poem , although he maintained that he respects Najib’s decision to sack Muhyiddin.

Anonymous anti-Najib banners have also surfaced in several locations around Johor, one of which states, ‘Johor rejects Najib’.

Asked to comment on the banners, Hishammuddin said the banners could have been put up by anyone, not necessarily Umno members, and this was nothing new to Johor.

“To me, what is important is the Johor Umno members themselves, and I have gone to Mersing, Tenggara and to Sembrong yesterday.

“It is nothing new to Johor and I am confident that despite the placement of these banners, and issues in WhatsApp, the Johor Umno people are sufficiently wise and firm, yet at the same time, they make the party their priority,” Hishammuddin added.