The Kedah menteri besar crisis in January and recent launch of Umno splinter Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), did not appear to affect the Jerlun Umno annual general meeting in Kubang Pasu today.

Although the mood seemed as damp as the weather outside, unlike the previous AGM when Mukhriz Mahathir was MB cum Kedah Umno chief, the event went on for two hours in the morning without a hitch.

The delegates conference was later held in the afternoon, but was closed to the public.

There were no protests from the 167 delegates or 200 observers who filled up the hall at the Sekolah Menengah Sains Kubang Pasu in Jitra.

Former staunch supporters of Mukhriz, Kota Seputih assemblyman Abu Hassan Sarif and Kedah Umno Wanita chief Maznah Hamid, sat beside Menteri Besàr Ahmad Bashah Md Hanapiah.

Since June, Abu Hassan was appointed Acting Jerlun division chief, replacing Mukhriz who was removed from his office in February. Also present at the AGM was Finance Deputy Minister II Othman Aziz.

"There is no shortage of delegates, everyone turned up, all 167 of them, in spite of what happened in Jerlun, " said Ahmad Bashah at a press conference after the event.

Maznah, who sat on the left of Ahmad Bashah, chipped in, "the same goes for Wanita".

However, Ahmad Bashah declined to say much about the registration of Bersatu, led by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and sacked Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

"The party is not registered yet, only when it has done so, it will look for members. Until then, we cannot accuse others of supporting the party, although they may be supporting individuals in it," he said.

"Our party constitution is very clear, members cannot have two memberships, they will be automatically sacked," he added.

Multiple-cornered fights

Asked about the possible multiple-cornered fights in GE14 due to the addition of Bersatu and opposition Parti Amanah Negara, Ahmad Bashah replied "Umno is always ready no matter how many cornered fights we have".

"I have full confidence in the party leadership because of Umno's struggles, the people can judge.

"No party can compete with Umno, and all the allegations against our leader, including the involvement with 1MDB is all slander, " he added.

Asked about Umno's chances of victory in polls when there are now various parties representing the Malays, Ahmad Bashah said "This is a democratic country".

"There are more parties representing the Indians. A party will survive if it gets the support of the people, if there is no support, the party will not survive".

Mukhriz was replaced following complaints of non-performance by several Kedah Umno division chiefs led by Ahmad Bashah.

But Mukhriz believed he was sacked because of his public criticisms against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak over the 1MDB financial scandal and the RM2. 6 billion 'donation' in the PM's private bank account.

His sacking sent shock waves through Kedah Umno and was said to have caused disenchantment among Umno grassroots, especially in his supposed stronghold of Jerlun.