KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK)- The Umno disciplinary board's probe into its deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's recent speech at a public rally will continue even if he apologises and repents, said the party's vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Hishammuddin, who is also the Malaysian Defence Minister, said the investigation was being carried out to determine if Muhyiddin had committed any wrongdoing when he criticised party president and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his speech last Monday (Dec 6).
"The investigation will determine if the individual concerned has done anything wrong," Hishammuddin told a press conference at the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (Dec 11).
Asked if the party would heed the wishes of some delegates to reconcile its differences with one or two leaders who had fallen out of favour, Hishammuddin said he was hoping for the same.
"The door is always open, but it also depends on the individual," said Hishammuddin.
He added that it would take some time to reconcile with some leaders who had found themselves at a crossroads or spoken out of line.
Hishammuddin was asked if the third chair at the press conference would be filled by the party's third vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal at the end of the party's annual general assembly on Saturday (Dec 12).
The press conferences at this assembly have so far been jointly held by two of the party's vice presidents, Hishammuddin and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Shafie, along with Muhyiddin, was dropped as a minister in the Cabinet reshuffle in July after questioning Najib's handling of several national issues.
Both Shafie and Muhyiddin were recently allowed to keep their posts in the party but were told they would not be able to deliver speeches at this year's assembly.
However, Hishammuddin said that the duo still chose to wear red at the opening of the assembly on Thursday as a sign of unity with the party.
"The chair next to Zahid is still filled on the stage. And on the stage, as you can see, there's no problem. It is not awkward at all, as speculated by some," he added.
