KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak told Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today that it is the latter’s responsibility as Umno deputy president to support and assist the party president.

Najib, who was speaking today at the opening of the party’s general assembly, told his deputy that the roles of all top leaders in Umno are clearly outlined in the party constitution.

“According to Rule 9.8.2, it is clearly stated that the responsibility of the deputy president is to assist the president in his main roles,” Najib said in his policy speech.

The indirect swipe at Muhyiddin received a thunderous applause from the Umno delegates present.

Najib also said that while Umno members have the right to convey their views to the party leadership, such matters must be conducted through “proper channels.”

In a speech to his supporters at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kampung Baru on Monday night, Muhyiddin claimed that after cost of living, calls for Najib’s early resignation is the second most talked about topic on his Facebook page.

He also invited listeners to check on Najib’s Facebook and Twitter feed for such comments, but later said that it was not his duty to urge the Umno president to step down.

Muhyiddin also called for a two-term limit for the Umno presidency, and said that Najib should take leave as prime minister until the investigations on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had been completed.

Muhyiddin was removed from the federal Cabinet earlier this year ostensibly over his criticism of the administration’s handling of the 1MDB controversy.