The sacking of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir shows that UMNO takes a serious view of members who flout the rules, party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said.

"This decision was made as the party is very concerned by the action of a former deputy president and former state liaison chairman who are in cahoots with the Opposition against the party and the government.

"So, I think this action is reasonable. It should have been made much earlier," he told reporters here, yesterday.

Earlier, UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that Muhyiddin, who was suspended from the deputy president's post was sacked from the party together with Mukhriz, for indiscipline.

The membership of UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was suspended pending a report from the UMNO Disciplinary Committee, he told a press conference after the UMNO Supreme Council meeting here Friday.

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UMNO information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the issue of the two leaders had been raised many times but disciplinary action was deferred until the breach of discipline became worse.

"I think in politics, nobody is bigger than the party. Those who choose to violate the party rules have only themselves to blame, not us," he said.

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Meanwhile, UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the decision to sack the duo would not hurt the party since they were of no help.

"I hope this will serve as advice or warning to other UMNO members that we are here to fight a cause and should not be disappointed and rebel against the party," he said.

Deputy Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum said the duo's sacking was reasonable as they openly used the UMNO platform to attack Najib.

"The sacking means that they cannot use the UMNO platform to meet members unless via programmes organised by the Opposition."