Umno can expect to face difficulties in regaining youth support following the party’s move to sack openly critical leaders, including former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, according to party vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

In an interview with Malay-daily Utusan Malaysia, the former prime minister said Umno has taken a step back and sent the wrong signal to youths that dissenters will be silenced with either a suspension or sacked from the party.

“We’re giving them...