Former Batu Kawan Umno Vice-Chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan said the party’s Supreme Council had ignored the sentiments of the grassroots when it suspended Muhyiddin merely for speaking up for the interests of the country and its people.

Khairuddin said the Pagoh MP now had no reason to stay quiet and could “go all out”.

“The war is on. If this is what they want, then it’s good. We are now free to talk about absolutely anything.

“Muhyiddin and us are no longer bound by the party’s rules and regulations. And so, mark my words, we will go on a nationwide tour to educate the public on all the corruption and misappropriation Najib has been accused of,” he told FMT.

Sacked Langkawi Wanita Umno member Anina Saadudin claimed Najib and his men have made their biggest mistake by far as now they would have to face the wrath of over 30 million Malaysians whom Muhyiddin had sacrificed himself for.

“The public and the grassroots love Muhyiddin. They know the decision to suspend him was not because he had done anything wrong but was because Najib was trying to cover up his wrongs.

“Just because one man panicked, so many people have fallen along the way.

“Muhyiddin does not need to be sad as he was not punished by an honest man but a crook,” she said when contacted.

Muhyiddin’s supporters, she said, should not be discouraged by his suspension and instead what happened today should fuel their already “burning spirits”.

“This is not just Muhyiddin or the rebels’ fight. This is the people’s fight.”