Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad hopes suspended Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin will follow in his footsteps and quit Umno.

"I hope so," Mahathir said when asked whether Muhyiddin would also quit the part to protest against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Muhyiddin had been suspended last Friday as Umno deputy president for continuously speaking out against party president Najib Abdul Razak.

This was seven months after Najib removed him as deputy prime minister for criticising his handling of 1MDB.

Speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya today, Mahathir said he did not know if his actions would prompt others to quit the party, but he would not stop them from doing so.

Shortly after his press conference, former Batu Kawan Umno vice-chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan announced that he, too, would be quitting Umno.

An Umno rebel group Gerakan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia (GKCM) spokesperson told reporters that they would hold an emergency meeting tonight to decide on whether or not to stay in the party.

GKCM claims over 400 members nationwide.