No reason to apologise for criticism, says Muhyiddin

(Malay Mail Online) – Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said he saw no reason why he needed to apologise to party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He insisted that his criticism was not directed personally at Najib, who is also prime minister, but only to draw the party’s attention to the conduct of the leadership.

“Whether it is Hisham’s statement or not, I want to say here that there is no reason for me to apologise.

“Whatever I said is not on personal matters. All my statements are questions on party leadership and principle,” he told reporters when met at the sidelines of the Umno general assembly today.

He was responding to a statement made by Umno vice president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who yesterday suggested that Muhyiddin and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal should apologise and make amends for their difference with Najib.

Muhyiddin also clarified that all his criticism did not mean that he was against the party, and that he only wanted answers on related issues to clear the party’s name.

Muhyiddin was replaced as deputy prime minister in July and dropped from all speaking duties during the Umno assembly over his overt criticism of Najib’s leadership.