Deputy division chief Ghani Abd Rashid said while they find the Sembrong MP’s suspension shocking, the leaders of the division will heed his advice and stay loyal to the party.

“We will heed Hishammuddin’s advice to stay loyal to the party and stick to the principle that the party’s needs surpass individual needs.

“We will also meet all the members face to face to explain Hishammuddin’s suspension. This is important to prevent members from splitting, especially the grassroots,” he said in a statement today.

Ghani said it is “business as usual” for Umno and it will focus on preparing for the upcoming party elections.

Hishammuddin, former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, former Jempol MP Salim Sharif and Tebrau Umno leader Maulizan Bujang were suspended for six years on Friday.

Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi claimed that Hishammuddin was the main man behind several Barisan Nasional MPs signing statutory declarations backing Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister after the recent general election resulted in a hung Parliament.