Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal says the party does not belong to a single member and reminded members of the time its president Najib Abdul Razak called for the party to reform.

Shafie made the reminder in response to Najib's surprise announcement to bar Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin from speaking at the opening of the annual general assemblies of the party's Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings next month.

"Not long ago, the party president did voice out and called for Umno to reform; every member at the grassroots had to change for the sake of change to ensure that Umno is always relevant with the times, and is able to attract youths and the like.

"But unfortunately, the process of renewal is incomplete and (but) it cannot only happen at the lower levels.

"Instead, it needs the commitment and support at every level, particularly from the higher-ups who have the capability to determine this sacred party's direction," Shafie (photo) said in a statement late last night.

He also criticised the move to bar Muhyiddin from speaking at the wings' openings and hoped that the party leader would still be allowed to speak during the winding-up of the main body's assembly.

Najib had said the decision was made on request of the respective wings' chiefs, who would launch their meetings themselves.

In his statement, Shafie recalled how he saw Umno leaders freely accepting criticisms when he followed his father to the Umno annual general assemblies in the 1970s.

"Even though there were some strong criticisms, every Umno member present, including the top leadership, accepted the speeches and criticisms with an open heart.

"All the criticisms that were made were for the improvement of the party and laid the foundation for the strength of the largest party in the country," he said.

Shafie added that Umno belonged to all its members, not just a few of them.

"Umno is approaching 70 years old and it should be more open and not inclusive only to certain individuals' interests.

"Umno does not belong to one member; it belongs to three million members who have for long defended this sacred party together," he said.

The move to bar Muhyiddin from officiating the wings' opening is seen as an attempt to silence him.

Muhyiddin, together with Shafie, were dismissed from the government in July for their critical stance against Najib's handling of the 1MDB matter.