Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today welcomed the decision by two Johor Umno veterans to quit the party in protest against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's leadership.

Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, said the duo - Gelang Patah Umno permanent chairperson Baharom Abdul Ghani and Kulai Umno deputy chief Tosrin Jarvanti - were reputedly Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) supporters.

He said he welcomed their decision because they were known to be together with Bersatu.

"It is good that they are with them now, rather than continue being a thorn in Umno's side," said Zahid during a press conference after officiating BN component Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia 8th Annual General Assembly at Menara Bank Rakyat in Kuala Lumpur.

They two had announced their decisions to quit at their respective Umno division annual meetings yesterday.

Their decisions to quit the party came just a day after Bersatu was given the final seal of approval by the Registrar of Societies.

'No fear-mongering tactics'

Zahid, meanwhile, also stressed that Umno had never engaged in fear-mongering tactics to secure support from non-Malay voters.

"There were never any attempts by Umno to scare the voters. What we did were persuasive actions. We only persuaded them," he said.

He added BN did not want to merely rely on its track record, but also wanted to continue to offer "new hope" to the people in general, and new voters in particular.

"If there are other such personal opinions from any BN component party leader, it would be best to present it during the BN Supreme Council meeting. Do not use other mediums to differ in opinions," he added.

Zahid said this when asked to comment on MCA religious harmony bureau chief Ti Lian Ker's reported call for Umno to stop playing up the race and religion card to unite Malays against other races.

Ti had on Thursday said the scare tactic of "the Chinese are coming; the Malays are under siege; our Islamic faith is being threatened, etc" is no longer effective to unite or force the Malays to stay together.

He made the call in response to the reconciliation between former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and jailed PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, after 18 years of being foes, to form a united opposition against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.