Following the exit of two grassroots leaders in Johor yesterday, more Umno division leaders are expected to quit the party, this time in Kedah.

Former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir said "quite a number" of division leaders have told him that they have had enough, and are considering quitting Umno.

"And the way they will leave is by making announcements at the (divisions') annual meetings," Mukhriz told reporters in Puchong last night.

He said this when asked if he expects any public defections from Kedah Umno division leaders to his new party, following yesterday's incident.

At their respective division annual meetings, Gelang Patah Umno permanent chairperson Baharom Abdul Ghani and Kulai Umno deputy chief Tosrin Jarvanti both announced they were quitting the ruling party.

This comes just a day after Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) got its final seal of approval from the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

Grand exits possible

Mukhriz said while some may quit Umno publicly during their annual meetings like the Johor duo, others may choose to do so more discreetly.

"Some of them are a little unwilling to create conflict during a function like that, so they may support us but remain in Umno.

"Or they leave on the quiet rather than in such in a grand way."

Mukhriz was speaking to reporters after attending a ceramah organised by Umno rebel group Gerakan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia (GKCM) to promote Bersatu.

Also speaking at the ceramah was youth activist and Bersatu founding member Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

In his speech, Syed Saddiq stressed the importance of youth participation in elections, and urged them to register to vote.

He said at present, less than half of youths eligible to vote in Malaysia are registered voters.