The suspension of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from UMNO deputy president post is a reflection of what the party’s delegates had indicated at its annual general assembly last year.

UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the delegates wanted both the leaders to join forces.

He said the Supreme Council’s decision on Friday was the hardest it made to strengthen the party and to bring back support for the party president.

“If the number one and number two are not on the same page, it is difficult to work in preparing for election,” he said when met after the launch of Himsak Pra U launch today.

“What happened last night was intense discussion and we have gone through a very thorough process,” he said.

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Mustapa said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were not involved in the discussion.

Mustapa said the decision was to strengthen the party and to obtain strong leadership to carry out agenda set for the people.

“Things have changed and no one can dispute it including in Pengkalan Kubor,” he said.

“We are talking about the future, the 14th general election and we need strong leadership to continue our mandate,” he added.

“So the action was necessary because if there are issues, it would be difficult for us to build party,” he said.

Yesterday, UMNO’s powerful Supreme Council suspended Muhyiddin from the party with immediate effect.

This was announced by party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor at the party headquarters at Menara Dato' Onn.

READ: UMNO suspends Muhyiddin, Zahid stands in as deputy president

Throughout Muhyiddin's suspension period, vice president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would bear the duties and responsibilities of deputy president Muhyiddin’s duties until the next party election in 2018.