KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 — There are no overt attempts by Umno to silence Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin by disallowing the party Number Two to speak at the opening of its three wings next month, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor said today.

Instead, the Umno secretary-general argued that some “traditions” practised by Umno needed to be changed due to the “behaviour” of some party leaders.

“There is no intention to silence his voice,” he said in an interview with several selected media organisations here, referring to Muhyiddin.

“The respective wings thought it was best to handle the opening of the assemblies themselves. Sometimes the stage is used as a platform by some leaders to go against one another. We want to avoid this.

“Sometimes it is the behaviour of some people which has forced us to make these changes. If we let it continue, it will become a cancer and we have to ensure that this cancer does not spread,” he added.

Tengku Adnan did not elaborate on the identity of the leaders deemed to be cancerous to the party.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin questioned the Umno supreme council’s decision to disallow him from speaking at the opening of the party’s three wings next month, saying he was shocked by the announcement as he had always officiated the assemblies for the past six years in his capacity as Umno deputy president.

In a statement on his official Facebook page, the former deputy prime minister said he was informed that there were certain “parties” who do not want him to speak at the opening of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings at the Umno general assembly.

“What have I done to Umno until the tradition of delivering speeches which has been given every year to the deputy president has been denied to me this year?

“Or are they afraid with what I am going to say in front of the youths which is believed to be able to weaken the confidence towards a leader?” Muhyiddin asked.

Earlier this week, the Umno Supreme Council meeting decided that the three meetings will be officiated by their respective movement heads.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also Umno president said the decision was made following the proposal by all the wings concerned.

Johor-born Muhyiddin and Umno vice-president from Sabah Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal were removed from the federal Cabinet late July, ostensibly for questioning Najib’s handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad issue.

Muhyiddin and Shafie, who remain as Umno deputy president and vice-president, have continued to criticise the party leadership, prompting demands that Umno discipline the duo for their overt attacks.