Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal has declared that he will remain as a party member even with his criticisms of its top leadership on certain current issues.

Malay-daily Utusan Malaysia quoted Shafie as reiterating his commitment to remain with Umno, following attacks from his own colleagues for his actions that they deemed to be going against the party.

In stressing that he had never criticised Umno as a whole, Shafie reportedly said: "It is just that sometimes the guards and administrators of Umno must be upgraded so that the good of the party can be felt by all its supporters."

"There have been various interpretations made (on my actions) including that I would be leading Usno (United Sabah National Organisation). That is not true.

"I am still (with) Umno, I am still a party member and vice-president. If anyone wants my post, go ahead and take it [...] hold (party) elections, there is no problem," he said.

Following his endorsement of the 'Save Malaysia' declaration calling for the removal of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, there have been mounting calls for Shafie and Pagoh MP Muhyiddin Yassin to be sacked from Umno.

Muhyiddin, a fierce critic of the financial scandals linked to Najib, has been removed as deputy prime minister and recently suspended from his Umno deputy president's post.

Shafie, meanwhile, also said he has yet to receive any show-cause letter from Umno's disciplinary committee.

"I did not break any laws or the party's constitution. I have personally requested all grassroots members to remain with Umno. I never asked them to leave," the Semporna MP was quoted as saying during an event at his constituency.

'Opposition following Mahathir'

On claims that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has turned his back on Umno to work with the opposition, Shafie said: "From what I have seen, it is the opposition that has been followingMahathir.

“Even though I know there are parties that labelled him as a traitor to the party and the people, but that is their own interpretation."

"I don't think we should be labelling of any parties like that (a traitor) because they have their rights and freedom (of expression)," he noted.

Following his decision to quit Umno for the second time, Mahathir had last week unveiled the 'Save Malaysia' declaration that saw 58 individuals from Umno, opposition parties and the civil society joining forces to call for the removal of Najib.