KLUANG, Aug 2 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today he would not allow himself to be muted on topics like the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal as it is his duty to raise issues of public concern.

The former deputy prime minister, whose remarks on the controversy cost him his deputy prime minister post earlier this week, told Umno delegates here that he will continue discussing 1MDB even though it might displease certain parties.

“My political friends gave me the advice, they said ‘Tan Sri, you are no longer the deputy prime minister, please speak nicely (of 1MDB). Who knows, there may be those bent on finding fault so that your deputy president post is put in jeopardy.

“I said I won’t keep quiet. As a deputy president why would I? I need to speak up,” he thundered during his speech to the crowd of over 400 Umno delegates from the Kluang division at its annual general meeting today.

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Muhyiddin added the 1MDB issue was not a small matter and has garnered negative attention worldwide.

“This issue is not just the focus in Malaysia but the whole world. It is a big issue, everyone talks about it from high-level meetings to even the villages,” he said.

The Pagoh MP added that there was a need for a speedy resolution the 1MDB controversy as it not only affects the government but Umno’s reputation as well.

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“When we are facing this problem, we must find a quick solution. Even if it is a government problem, it will be talked in the party too.

“1MDB will be linked to Umno as well now in the crisis, that’s why as deputy president, I have to speak up,” Muhyiddin explained.

He added that this issue might be Umno’s downfall in the next election if it is not resolved soon, pointing to repeated reminders by opposition leaders of how they had won the popular vote in the last polls.

Muhyiddin was axed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak earlier this week in a sudden Cabinet reshuffle which saw Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi replacing him as deputy prime minister.

Many have suggested the Umno veteran was ousted for his vitriolic speech questioning 1MDB during a party function in Cheras.