Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin today cited the Malay uprising against the Malayan Union in 1946, which also led to the inception of Umno, and declared that Johor Malays will never back down.

A Johorean himself, Muhyiddin used the example when asking for public feedback on what message he should deliver at the Umno annual general assembly (AGM) next week, despite being barred from speaking by his party.

Taking to Facebook, Muhyiddin posted a picture of Harold McMichael with a sea of protesters in the backdrop as he was about to meet with then Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Abu Bakar, who had summoned the British colonial administrator.

"It can be seen in this picture the Malay sons of Johor opposed the Malayan Union as they believed the future of the country must be freed from the shackles and interference of foreigners.

"History proved that Johoreans never back down ( pantang berundur ) in defending the sovereignty of the land where their blood flows.

Gambar di belakang saya ini diambil ketika Harold McMichael dipanggil untuk mengadap DYMM Sultan Johor Sultan Ibrahim...

Posted by Muhyiddin Yassin on Thursday, December 3, 2015

"As written in history, Umno was founded on May 11, 1946, at Istana Besar, Johor Bahru. I have been a member of Umno for the last 45 years," he said.

Muhyiddin then said there have been many quarters who have urged that he delivers his message at the Umno AGM, which he said is a very important gathering.

Ths is despite Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also Umno president, announcing last week that Muhyiddin would not be allowed to officiate at the opening of the AGMs of the Umno Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri wings.

Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor also indicated he was in favour of Muhyiddin not speaking during the winding- up of the Umno AGM but said a final decision would be made by the Umno supreme council.

'Step down Najib one of the responses'

"If I do get a chance to speak, what are the important things you think I should present to the delegates and leaders of Umno?" Muhyiddin asked in the Facebook posting.

Among the responses from netizens were those calling for Najib to step down and cries over the rising cost of living, while others gave Muhyiddin words of encouragement.

Muhyiddin and Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal were in July dismissed from the government for their criticism of Najib's handling of 1MDB.

However, the two leaders have yet to be removed from the party after some Umno supreme council members opposed the move for fear that it may cause further division in the party.

Nonetheless, Muhyiddin has since been sidelined, with most of his major party functions stripped from him, followed by the move to silence him at the Umno AGM.