He challenged the Supreme Council finding that he had not assisted the party leader, Najib Razak by saying that blindly supporting the president did not equate to assisting him.
Muhyiddin’s suspension comes half a year after Najib dismissed him from the Cabinet after the then deputy premier had made muted criticisms about the affairs of government-owned 1Malaysia Development Bhd and a deposit of RM2.6 billion in Najib’s personal bank accounts.
His suspension remains until the next party elections, which have been postponed till after the 14th General Election. However, he remains a party member.
Muhyiddin questioned the Supreme Council’s accusation that he had not carried out his responsibilities as the party’s No. 2.
He said that in the past six years he had not only led the Barisan Nasional to victories as the election director, but also chaired meetings, relayed the complaints of the grassroots and advised Najib on various issues including those related to 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation.
“Is that not me helping the president?,” he asked, adding that whatever action he has taken was meant to help the party.
On the subject of complaints relayed to him by those from within Umno, Muhyiddin said that at the onset of the issue leading to his suspension, many in the top levels in Umno had come to see him concerning their unhappiness with the issues involving the prime minister.
“They asked me to correct the situation, or the people would reject Umno if Prime Minister Najib Razak continued to lead the party.
“I suggested we collectively advise the prime minister in the hope that he address his mistakes to save Umno and the nation. Unfortunately, they did not have the courage to advise the prime minister.
“I was forced to take on this responsibility myself and when I did, many of these individuals stayed away from me and even attacked me.”
Muhyiddin also said his suspension was the first time in Umno’s history where the Supreme Council had a bigger say than the party members who voted him in.
“The voice of the majority of Umno members were disregarded by the council just to defend an individual caught up in an embarrassing corruption and misappropriation scandal,” he said adding the council had failed to deal with a leadership crisis stemming from Najib’s involvement in 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation.
The goverment has said the money was a donation from Saudi royal sources and was meant to help the Barisan Nasional in the 2013 General Election; most of it had been returned, according to official accounts.
Muhyiddin acknowledge that while he was not saddened by his suspension, which he earlier claimed was to be expected after being dropped from the cabinet, he was vexed that values, such as honesty and courage, were no more.
Promising he would continue to keep up, Muhyiddin also thanked those who had stood by him, including Mohd Shafie Apdal and Mukhriz Mahathir, who were also removed as a Cabinet minister and the Kedah menteri besar respectively.
The people, he said must now rise against the tyranny and save Malaysia. “I am prepared to stand with you,” he declared.
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