Former Umno minister Rafidah Aziz is becoming increasingly concerned about the happenings in Umno.

"Things have become personal...To the point that it all looks like there are personal vendettas in play and individuals are being focused upon for a variety of reasons, rather than upon the party and the good and interest of the members at large.

"Hurtful words have been uttered. Personal attacks have become the norm. And worst of all, there seems to be zero tolerance for any voice that hints of dissent or difference of viewpoint," she said in a Facebook post.

The former Wanita Umno chief's remarks come amid intense speculation that Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin could be suspended from his position.

Rafidah warned that it would be a "terrible mistake, or a travesty even," if any leader was to only listen to the voice of personal supporters.

The supporters, she pointed out, are expected to voice out what they think the leaders want to hear.

"Very few personal supporters want to stick their necks out to say anything different. And in politics, it tends to be the norm not to question or to show dissent," she said.

These are not personal issues

Rafidah said the issues confronting the party and nation are not personal issues of leaders, and therefore the personal element must be removed from the equation.

"The issues have to do with the question of governance and are of interest and concern to the rakyat, for example 1MDB and such issues. The issues must be dealt with objectively, transparently and with integrity," she added.

Focusing on individuals, Rafidah said, would only detract from what should and needs to be done.

"A war of words will not resolve the real issues. In fact, it can only exacerbate the problem.

"Nothing should be said or done with malice or in anyone's personal interest. We are dealing with issues of national interest beyond the interest of any individual," she added.

In view of this, the former minister urged the powers that be to get down to the business of resolving issues, reminding them that words are cheap, but action speaks louder.

"And action does not mean exterminating dissent and differences of views and expression of opinion.

"It simply means taking the bull by the horns, and to expeditiously deal with the issues that are slowly dragging the country down.

"The people will be comforted knowing that the due processes of good governance still prevail and that they are strongly guided by integrity, transparency and national interest," Rafidah added.