Muhyiddin Yassin said he was considering "a new political platform", following his sacking from Umno last Friday.

Speaking at his first public appearance since the sacking, the Pagoh MP told reporters he will serve as an Independent MP, but needed time to decide his next move.

This included setting up a new outfit or joining existing parties, the former Umno number two said.

"Many have informally made their offers. Or maybe we will set up a new political platform," said Muhyiddin at the join press conference with former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir, who was also sacked from Umno.

The former deputy prime minister said he needed to discuss with his supporters and others who shared the same desire for change, before making a final decision.

Asked whether he was prepared to defend his Pagoh seat against BN, Muhyiddin reiterated he had yet to make any decision.

"Now I am no longer in Umno... If I were to contest, of course I will be contesting against BN," he pointed out.

Muhyiddin also said he will continue to serve as an Independent MP and had received feedback from the grassroots in Pagoh of continued support, no matter what platform he was on.

On the apparent loss of support from Johor Umno, Muhyiddin said: "It is okay. I understand. What do you expect them to say (about his sacking)?"

Among others, Johor Umno state liaison chief Mohamed Khaled Nordin had said that the decision to sack Muhyiddin and Mukhriz was reasonable as it involved a breach of the party discipline by allegedly conspiring with the opposition to topple BN.

Pressed further, Muhyiddin insisted that he did not want to reveal his plans just yet.

"We must make the decision at the right time... I do not want to jump the gun," he stressed.

Aside from sacking Muhyiddin and Mukhriz, the Umno Supreme Council also suspended party vice-president Shafie Apdal.