The board’s chairman, Mohamed Apandi Ali, confirmed that Hishammuddin had been called up. However, he could not reveal details of the letter sent to Hishammuddin.

The action against Hishammuddin comes a month after he was alleged to have been part of moves to form a new government through defections from Umno.

Hishammuddin was among a group of two dozen MPs from Barisan Nasional who were at a dinner meeting at the residence of deputy PKR president Mohamed Azmin Ali, which was rumoured to be part of an attempt to forestall moves to force our Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Apandi refused to comment when asked whether Hishammuddin had called for a meeting with Azmin.

Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam has accused Hishammuddin of having betrayed the people by being part of the meeting.

However, Hishammuddin has denied that he arranged the meeting or of being part of moves to form a new government.