Sepang Umno has denied that there is a mastermind behind the demand a group of the division’s grassroots leaders made to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to resign.

Its chief, Marsum Paing, believes the demand is not related in any way to former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin or to his supporters.

“If they are hurt because Muhyiddin was sacked, that is only a personal view and not that of the division,” Marsum said at a press conference in Salak Tinggi today.

Yesterday, a group of Umno grassroots leaders claiming to represent 20 of the party’s branches in Sepang called for Najib’s resignation .

The group’s spokesperson, Rushdan Mohamed, said Najib should resign as both prime minister and as Umno president because the prolonged scandals afflicting him have made him a liability.

Rushdan, who is chairperson of the Rista Villa Perdana Putra Umno branch, also expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the 1MDB scandal and the RM2.6 billion "political donation" that Najib supposedly received.

Meanwhile, Marsum, a former Dengkil state assemblyperson, said the demand for Najib’s resignation by the group was prejudicial and confusing in nature.

“I have received feedback from the leaders of several branches who have expressed their disappointment with Rushdan’s actions,” Marsum said.

Asked when action would be taken against Rushdan, Marsum said he would call him soon before the matter is forwarded to the Umno supreme council.

“We will call all 20 branches involved for their explanation and we will leave it to the supreme council to take action,” he said.

Najib is currently embroiled in controversy involving his brainchild 1Malaysia Development Bhd as well as the RM2.6 billion in “donations” that was allegedly transferred into his personal bank accounts.

Earlier, 13 branches from Negri Sembilan called for Najib to resign as Umno president.