Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, who is now with PAS, and Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu also sought to reassure all those who were sacked or suspended by Umno of their support.

Shahidan, who himself was sacked by Umno in November for contesting as a PN candidate in the 15th general election (GE15), claimed that Umno was going “insane” and had been caught up in sacking and suspending its leaders and members.

“To those who have been sacked, be patient. We will defend you. Long live PN,” the former Perlis Umno chief said in a Twitter post.

Meanwhile, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu sought to encourage those who had been sacked last night, telling them that they could only go further now.

“Dear brothers, your wings are no longer clipped. Now, you can soar even higher,” he said in a tweet.

Former Ketereh MP Annuar Musa also urged those who had been sacked or suspended for six years to be patient, while hitting out at Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other party leaders.

The former Umno secretary-general said sacking leaders and members who held opposing views was the easiest way to remain in power.

He added that the Umno leadership was still in denial despite the “signal” they had received from Malaysians during GE15, where Umno had its worst ever electoral performance winning only 26 parliamentary seats.

“There are many ways forward for us. What’s important is that we remain principled, dare to speak the truth, and continue our struggle for religion, race and country,” said Annuar, who was sacked by Umno last month.

Last night, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan confirmed that Khairy and Noh had been sacked.

Meanwhile, Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein, former information chief Shahril Hamdan, ex-Jempol MP Salim Sharif, and Tebrau Umno leader Maulizan Bujang have each been suspended for six years.