Umno members who side with Mukhriz Mahathir can quit the party as their presence could disrupt its unity, said Kubang Pasu Umno head Mohd Johari Baharom.

If these members remained in Umno, their presence would only cause a split among other members who are loyal to the party's struggle, he added.

"Before this, there were many who left Umno when they supported leaders who left and formed new parties like Semangat 46 and PKR but they finally returned to Umno.

"Umno is a strong party, and as Umno members, we will defend our leaders in ensuring that the party's struggle for the Malays continue on," he said when officially opening the Kubang Pasu Umno Youth Delegates Meeting in Jitra today.

Johari, who is also deputy defence minister, said Umno would not stop anyone from leaving the party if they were sympathetic to Mukhriz and supported the new party formed by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Foreign meddling

In Tumpat, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun said foreign meddling with the aid of "traitors" could destabilise the country.

"Today, they (foreigners) are also being assisted by some Malaysians from NGOs, political parties and former leaders, either in trying create perception, hurling accusations or disinformation to cause political instability," he told reporters after opening the delegates meetings of Tumpat Umno's Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.

The Umno supreme council member added that the aim of these conspirators was to topple the prime minister in undemocratic ways.

- Bernama