Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin is setting a bad example for others in the party with his ongoing antics, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said says.

Saying she is fed up with his tirade, Azalina told the former deputy prime minister: Step down or challenge Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"His actions are setting a bad example to the grassroots leaders. If he no longer agrees with party policies, he should step down or challenge president (Umno president) Najib in the party elections," she said in a statement today.

Azalina reminded Muhyiddin that he is still the MP for Pagoh, having won the seat on a BN ticket and with the help of the Umno machinery.

She told Muhyiddin to remember the party's contribution to him and to refrain from taking any action that would weaken the party.

Any disagreements or differences of opinion that the former deputy prime minister may have should be channelled through the proper channels, so as not to disrupt party unity.

"As the number two man in this sacred party, Muhyiddin ( photo ) should play his role in smoothening the way for the party president," Azalina said.

She pointed out that loyalty to the party leadership is the basic practice of all political parties in the world.

Each party leader should also obey party regulations and policies as this was core to the strength of a party, she said.

This was why she viewed Muhyiddin's action in continuing to openly criticise Najib's leadership as disappointing, Azalina added.

Muhyiddin has been strident in his criticism of Najib's handling of the 1MDB and RM2.6 billion 'donation' scandals, which subsequently cost him his post in the cabinet.

Even after his sacking, he continues to denounce the Umno leadership, giving rise to fears that his act of defiance may have influenced or emboldened grassroots movements that have also been calling on Najib to explain his role in the scandals.