Selangor BN coordinator Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahlan said action must be taken against errant leaders, but it does not necessarily mean their expulsion.

Mat Nadzari, the Umno Batang Kali state assemblyperson, said this in response to speculation that several of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's vocal critics, who are senior Umno leaders, may be purged from the party.

This was after an internal poll found that 154 out of 191 Umno division chiefs supported action against unnamed leaders under the party's watchlist.

"If action is taken against treacherous ( menderhaka ) members, at a minimum, it could just be a word of advice.

"We must remember that when we call for action to be taken, it may not necessarily be expulsion," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

He added the appropriate action should be considered, as the party's image has been affected.

Among the leaders believed to be on the list include Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal, and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Umno leaders choosing sides

Previously, Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Yunos had openly declared that he was mobilising efforts to get Muhyiddin sacked.

Muhyiddin had last week lashed out at Umno leaders for failing to speak out amid a national crisis.

Muhyiddin and Shafie were in July dropped as deputy prime minister and deputy minister respectively due to their critical stance against Najib's handling of 1MDB.

1MDB is struggling to repay its US$11 billion debt amid claims of misappropriation.

The mooted disciplinary action has prompted Umno leaders to choose sides as they make their case for and against the rebels' expulsion.