KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 — An Umno grassroots group wants the party’s supreme council to suspend the membership of a faction seeking the removal of Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Kamarul Azman, president of a group calling itself the Coalition of Branch Chiefs Malaysia (GKCM), alleged that Umno’s constitution does not allow any member to call a press conference and publicly demand a leader to step down.

“It is stated in the party’s constitution that you cannot bring a party’s matter to the public. If you do that, you will get suspended,” he told reporters outside at the Umno headquarters here today, after submitting a memorandum on the suspension to Umno executive secretary Datuk Abdul Rauf Yusof.

Kamarul and eight other Umno branch leaders from Teluk Kemang, Negri Sembilan had their party voting rights frozen for six years following their criticism of their party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The suspended Umno man asserted that those who opposed Mukhriz’s leadership in Kedah should face similar punishment.

A group of Kedah Umno leaders led by its state deputy chief  Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah held a press conference in Alor Setar yesterday, claiming loss of confidence in Mukhriz’s leadership and demanded a replacement.

Among the Umno leaders present at the press conference were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom, Kedah Wanita Umno chief Datuk Maznah Hamid, Kedah Umno Youth chief Datuk Shaiful Azizy Zainal Abidin and Kedah Puteri Umno chief Datin Norashimah Md Nowar.

Kamarul voiced scepticism on the three reasons touted by the group for their loss of confidence in Mukhriz, and demanded they furnish proof to support their claims.

He also suggested the group may have a hidden agenda to oust Mukhriz.

“Was it because you saw him as having potentials to climb to greater heights in politics so you want to put an end to his political career?” Kamarul asked.

Muhkriz has acknowledged the ouster call from his fellow Kedah Umno leaders last night, but did not say if he would seek a meeting with the state ruler on the matter.

The first-term MB said, however, that whether he stays or goes will be decided by the people.