Muhyiddin: I only knew about my sacking yesterday (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said he would adhere to party orders, just as per all past parliamentary matters, in the event a vote of no confidence was called against the Prime Minister.
"I will follow party orders. However, I do not know what will happen in parliament. Let us see what transpires.
"As a responsible party member, I will make a decision which will be decided by the party whip... this is the same as all previous parliamentary matters," he said.
He was responding to reports that several opposition MPs had called on their colleagues and progressive Barisan Nasional MPs to move a vote of no confidence against Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to create a "transition government" with an interim Prime Minister.
Speaking at a press conference at his house, Muhyiddin also said he will continue with his duties as Umno deputy president and Barisan Nasional deputy chairman.
He said he will do his best to cooperate with Najib and other BN component party leaders as what he has been doing since.
"As a deputy president (of Umno), it is my responsibility to help the rakyat and the country," he said.
Muhyiddin noted that it was important to bring unity and build Umno for the future.
"There must be party unity, and there should not be any clashes among its members which could create a crisis.
"If we fight, we will lose out," he said.
He told the packed press conference that he will not allow his sacking from the cabinet to affect him or the party.
Muhyiddin was removed as Deputy Minister and Education Minister yesterday in Najib's cabinet reshuffle, along with several other ministers.
Muhyiddin also called on party members and leaders to be open minded and fair in the move made by Najib.
He advised his supporters to keep calm, thanking them for their support.
"This is human behaviour... to feel disappointed. But they should prioritise the party and country. I hope they do not cause trouble or strive, which could make things harder for me to carry out my duties," he said.
Muhyiddin added that his supporters should be allowed to vent out their frustration for awhile, before resuming their duties for the people.
When asked about the decision by Najib to postpone Umno party polls by 18 months, Muhyiddin said the decision was made in the past as well.
"We do not want party members to be distracted by it, as there will be people vying for positions in the party - but we want them to focus on the big picture, which is to be united to face the General Election," he said.
Muhyiddin also said that he only found out about his removal as the deputy premier mere hours before it was announced to the public.
He was attending an event in Negri Sembilan and received an urgent message for him to meet Najib immediately.
"It turns out later that the event was to be my last official function as Deputy Prime Minister," he said.
He said he arrived in the Prime Minister's office about 11:30am but did not get to see Najib until 12:15pm.
He said Najib asked him to explain his remarks over the 1MDB controversy and he duly complied, with Najib seemingly accepting his explanation.
Muhyiddin then asked the Prime Minister if the request for explanation was related to the Cabinet reshuffle, Najib simply nodded.
"He (Najib) seemed to be at a loss for words, so I asked him if I am not in the new line up. He nodded again. So I just said 'thank you'," he said.
Muhyiddin said he welcomes the decision wholeheartedly and it is Najib's prerogative as Prime Minister to decide the members of his Cabinet.
When asked about the inclusion of four Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) members in the Cabinet including chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, Muhyiddin said new members (for PAC) will be appointed in the coming parliamentary sitting.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin had received many visitors since Tuesday including Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who was also removed as Rural and Regional Development Minister.
Muhyiddin said he appreciates the concern and added that these are just courtesy visits to offer sympathy, not for hatching any plot.