Umno has been urged to avoid using disciplinary action to resolve its internal issues in order to strengthen the party.

Political analyst Sivamurugan Pandian said this is because all seven leaders said to be on the Umno disciplinary watch list are likely to have their own clout.

As such, the political science professor said it disciplinary actions will only cause further fissures.

“Efforts must be put into uniting the party, and not causing further strain. Umno’s enemies are not those who have sacrificed to defend the party, whether or not they hold positions in Umno today,” he said.

The USM lecturer said Umno must also tread lightly with the seven leaders, as they are likely to have contributed heavily to the party.

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor raised question marks when he said Umno is monitoring “seven leaders” who may be infringing party rules.

He said this when asked why Umno is not taking action against its former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is on a mission to oust Najib Abdul Razak as prime minister.

Tengku Adnan, however, refused to reveal who the watched seven are.

It is speculated the list includes Mahathir, Umno deputy president

Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno vice president Shafie Apdal, Mahathir’s son and Kedah MB Mukhriz Mahathir, Johor MB Khaled Nordin, former Umno secretary-general Sanusi Junid and former Wanita Umno chief Rafidah Aziz.

These in particular have been vocal in publicly criticising the Najib administration.