Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin has lashed out at party members who called for his ouster while labelling him a traitor.

He said he has contributed much to the party in the over 40 years he has been a member including rebuilding Johor Umno after Umno was declared illegal in 1988.

"I have remained loyal to Umno thorugh various crises. So don't be so quick to call me a traitor and call for me to step down," he said in a statement today

"A Selangor division chief is among those most vocally calling for me to step down, even though his own members are asking him to quit," he added.

Muhyiddin was commenting on an urging by Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos for him to be sacked.

He was also commenting on urgings from Sri Gading Umno chief Abdul Aziz Kaprawi for him to be disciplined for being critical of 1MDB and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

There is speculation that Muhyiddin, who was axed as deputy prime minister last month, will be removed as deputy president at the next Umno supreme council meeting next month.

Muhyiddin has made several stinging comments on Najib’s leadership while officially opening various Umno division meetings in Johor.

However he said, he was only relaying his concerns as the Umno deputy president, out of love for the party.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin thanked Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, and the party grassroots for supporting him as deputy president.

He also thanked Khairy and the Youth wing leadership for their bravery.

“I wish to thank Khairy, and the Umno Youth exco line-up for their brave statements on national affairs, especially regarding issues that affect the country’s image like 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation to Najib,” he said.

Khairy has said that these issues need to be addressed soon, in order to restore the people’s confidence in Umno.