HULU SELANGOR, Aug 2 ― Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak insisted today that he does not want only “yes men” in Umno but stressed that criticisms should be aired in the right manner and forum.

In his speech at the Hulu Selangor Umno divisional meeting here, the party president said members must pick the right time and place to air their grievances against the leadership.

“I do not want yes men... but there is a place and space if you want to say no,” he said.

“Be more like the opposition, defend your leader... this is what I call collective responsibility,” he added.

Yesterday, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal warned that the party will face destruction if its members fear to speak the truth and choose only to be “yes men” to ensure their own political survival.

In an apparent swipe at Najib who earlier this week removed his detractors from the government, Shafie, who was also axed from the Cabinet, also suggested that Umno steered off course in its fight to elevate the economic status of the Malays.

Shafie and former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were among the most notable Umno casualties in Najib's Cabinet reshuffle announced on Tuesday.

Najib has said it was one of the toughest decisions he had to make but insisted that it was the right move as he needed a “united” Cabinet behind him.

Both Shafie and Muhyiddin have been critical of Najib's continued silence on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial fiasco.

Their critical remarks have caused them their places in the Cabinet, with Muhyiddin losing his position as the deputy prime minister.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was appointed to replace Muhyiddin.