In a Facebook post, Puad said if Muhyiddin had any “dignity”, he would have sued former Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) administrative manager David Tan, as the allegations affected his reputation.

Testifying in former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial, Tan said Muhyiddin received RM1.3 million from UKSB between June and August 2018.

“It also affects the government’s image as Muhyiddin is the MPN chairman. It is only reasonable that he resigns from his post until his name is cleared,” Puad said.

He said the allegations against Muhyiddin were serious given that they were made by a witness in court.

The former prime minister has denied the allegations, claiming that he was overseas undergoing cancer treatment during the period when he was alleged to have received bribes from UKSB.

Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, is one of several prominent figures to be implicated in Zahid’s corruption trial after his name was mentioned in a ledger kept by Tan.

Other names mentioned in the ledger include health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, former foreign minister Anifah Aman, former Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal, housing and local government minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican and defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

Anifah, Khairy and Hishammuddin have also denied the allegations.

On Tuesday, a source in the know said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission could not charge Muhyiddin as there was “no evidence that he received any money”.