KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 9): Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today pleaded for party deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and president Datuk Seri Najib Razak not to "divorce" and destroy the Malay party.

In his closing speech at the Umno Youth assembly, he said Umno Youth still respected Muhyiddin as the party's number two and welcomed his presence at the assembly.

"We need to find ways to harmonise the party. The top two leaders in any organisation must move side by side, united," he told Umno Youth delegates at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) today.

The youth and sports minister called for the party's top leaders to make amends and warned that the wing members were prepared to oppose any factions that wish to break up the party.

"Umno Youth's support is for the president, and we also gave due respect in ushering in the deputy president, this means we love our leaders.

"That is why we accept the explanation of our 'father' in the president's sincere clarification yesterday.

"And we plead with our 'mother', the deputy president not to 'divorce' and dismantle the house of Umno," he said.

Muhyiddin was sacked as the deputy prime minister in July after openly criticising Najib on the 1Malaysia Development (1MDB) scandal.

Despite being dropped as the second man in Cabinet, his elected party position remains.

The Pagoh MP did not attend a meeting with Najib last night but was heralded in with shouts of "hidup Tan Sri" when he made a surprise appearance at today's Youth, Wanita and Puteri wing assemblies.

"We all must return into the 'big tent' of Umno, let's not have enemies in our midst.

"If there are those who do not want to make good and be together, the Youth wing will rise to chase them out of our party.

"We must go against the enemies outside, not fight among ourselves," he said.