Pasir Gudang MP and Umno chief there, Mohamed Khaled Nordin ( below ), will meet with grassroot leaders on the quiet to resolve issues that led to the closure of several of the party's operation centres in the constituency.

NONE He said the meeting could be held any time to persuade Umno members disappointed in Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman to reopen the centres.

Reportedly five of them shut down as of Jan 24 with more to follow suit.

They are abandoning election preparations to protest against the menteri besar for allegedly reneging on his promise to grant land titles to squatters.

"I believe this is a disappointment that they face because their request for land rights have yet to bear fruit.

"As an elected representative and Umno division chief, I will meet and persuade them. I go back every week and we'll meet, quietly.

Won't work in media presence

"If we meet before the press, nothing would work. As chief and MP, I must pay attention to that matter," said Khaled, who is also Minister of Higher Education.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the National Higher Education Carnival in Universiti Malaya today.

Previously, Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan had warned that the grassroot leaders that action will be taken against them for sabotaging the party's preparations for the coming polls.

Meanwhile, Khaled was dismissive when asked if crowd-drawing Pakatan Rakyat ceramah in Pasir Gudang indicated wavering support for BN in his constituency.

"The ceramah may be a form of entertainment for outsiders to attend," he snapped curtly.