An Umno division in Johor has acknowledged the existence of a banner that discredits Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the run up to the party's divisional meeting next month.

The banner, which called for Najib to step down, was strung up in Gelang Patah, Johor.

It carried the Umno logo and featured a picture of the Umno president in a songkok and purple baju melayu with the words: "Kami Umno Bahagian Pulai Jaya 2 hilang kepercayaan kepada PM dan jemaah menteri. Kamu wajib letak jawatan, kalau ada maruah atau terima kekalahan PRU14 atas sifat ego dan tamak kamu". (We Umno Pulai Jaya 2 branch have lost our trust in the prime minister and the cabinet. You should quit, if you have dignity, or accept losing the 14th general election as a result of your ego and greed).

In a play of words using Najib's 1Malaysia slogan People First, Performance Now, the banner also carried the words "Poket Didahulukan, Rakyat Dikorbankan" (Pocket First, People Sacrificed).

The Malaysian Insider understands that the banner was taken down yesterday, three days after it went up but pictures of it has been making its rounds on social media and on mobile chat applications.

A statement issued by Gelang Patah Umno division said the banner existed but stressed that it was an "isolated incident". The Pulai Jaya 2 branch is located within the Gelang Patah parliamentary constituency.

Playing down the incident, Gelang Patah Umno chief Mohammad Khairi A. Malik said the division had taken the initiative by holding dialogues with branch chiefs to explain current issues, including on allegations against the prime minister, before the fasting month.

He said the sessions were aimed at ensuring members understood the situation on the issues raised.

"The division leadership is always open for members to voice their views at platforms like dialogue sessions. At the upcoming divisional meeting, which will be held in August, there is no impediment for delegates to raise whatever issues they want," he said.

Mohammad Khairi, who is the political secretary to the Johor Menteri Besar, urged all branch leaders and members under the division to focus on their work and to strenghten Umno by making the party closer to the people and help resolve issues.

Led by his supporter turn critic, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Najib has been under attack over some of his administration's policies and his brainchild, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

1MDB, a state investment firm established in 2009, sits on a RM42 billion debt and is also tied to allegations that some of its funds were used by Najib to be transferred to the latter's own personal accounts in March 2013.

Najib has denied the allegations and threatened legal action against Wall Street Journal, which published the expose.

1MDB's other alleged wrongdoing has also been published by whistleblower website Sarawak Report, which linked the fund to Malaysian tycoon and Najib associate, Low Taek Jho. – July 20, 2015.