Supporters of former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir have an option to remain in Umno and 'spy' for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

"Those Umno members who continue to support me but are unwilling to quit Umno due to personal reasons can continue to stay with the party.

"(They can) help our new party to collect information," Chinese newspaper Oriental Daily quoted Mukhriz as saying after the Kedah state legislative assembly sitting yesterday.

On the instruction issued to Umno members that they are prohibited from supporting Bersatu, Mukhriz said this was a typical remark that portrayed the arrogance of Umno leaders and ignorance of the sentiments of members.

He also urged those who want to join the new party to wait patiently, as the party cannot distribute the membership forms until the Registrar of Societies (ROS) approves the registration of the new party.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has pledged that ROS will act professionally and according to existing regulations in looking into the application from Bersatu.

Zahid said the application would be reviewed in detail and it would take at least 30 days to be approved.