KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 31 (Sin Chew Daily) – After a meeting with prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday evening, Umno ministers who had offered to resign agreed to stay back at the advice of the prime minister.

A reliable source told Sin Chew Daily the ministers led by senior minister (security cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob confessed to the prime minister that they had failed to stop Umno delegates from adopting the motion to withdraw from the Perikatan Nasional government, in the party's recent general assembly, and had offered to tender their resignations.

"However, the prime minister advised them to remain in the cabinet so that it could function normally for the well-being of the people and the nation."

According to the source, to cool down the temperature, these ministers had proposed that the prime minister appoint a deputy prime minister from Umno immediately. Muhyiddin nevertheless had not responded to the request.

In the meantime, the source also revealed that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warned party members at the assembly that actions could be taken against them if they tried to change the party's decisions.

"In other words, these ministers could be in danger if they divulged the details at the assembly to the prime minister. Disciplinary actions could be taken against them."

The source also said Umno's supreme council had resolved to completely stop asking for the DPM post.

"The party will not ask, and will decline, if the PM offers Umno a DPM post."

The source also said Umno's disciplinary committee is in the process of investigating at least two senior party leaders who may face sacking for sabotaging party unity.

The party membership of federal territories minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa's press Secretary Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has recently been suspended by the Umno supreme council.