Khairuddin Abu Hassan assured Malaysians that his resignation from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) would not result in the fledgling party's downfall, as he had been an “insignificant, ordinary member”.

This follows Umno supreme council member Ismail Sabri Yaakob taking a swipe at Khairuddin's move as a sign of  lost confidence in Bersatu and alleging cracks within the party.

“Bersatu is still strong without me. I was just an ordinary member who was so insignificant. Although I left Bersatu to focus on my agenda of toppling Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak through legal means, Bersatu is still popular,” said Khairuddin in a statement last night.

“These yes-men, slow-witted Umno leaders should not try to divert attention and spread propaganda that my resignation shows Bersatu will fall.”

The former Batu Kawan Umno vice-chief said he would still campaign for Bersatu to help increase its members, as well as provide other forms of aid from outside the party.

He also vowed to remain loyal to Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad for as long as he lived.

“The fact is, I am not leaving Bersatu completely,” he added.

Khairuddin urged all Malaysians to continue supporting Bersatu, and expressed optimism that the party would be the public's top choice to fight Najib and his government.

The Mahathir loyalist announced on Thursday he had quit Bersatu to focus on his series of legal challenges against Najib.

Khairuddin’s announcement, through a statement, came as a surprise as he had repeatedly said he would not join the party in the first place, and it was unclear when he actually joined Bersatu.