Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa has claimed that certain quarters are attempting to buy over leaders from his party.

However, he did not name those who were involved.

“There is a lot of horse trading happening, front door, back door. We cannot control or stop this. It depends on individuals (whether to fall for the offers or otherwise).

“There is still a long journey ahead,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

Annuar said this was one of the many reasons that Umno leaders are quitting the party following its defeat in the May 9 general election.

“Those who leave have different reasons for doing so, some have declared that they have business interests with the federal government and they have to think of saving these businesses.

“We respect their decision,” he added.

Annuar, who is also the MP for Ketereh, said Umno is undergoing a difficult period and not all can handle the pressure.

“Some cannot live without money, and some cannot handle the pressure from certain quarters. So this is the process we have to undergo when Umno is facing this test,” he added.

On Tuesday, Jeli MP and former minister Mustapa Mohamed announced his resignation from Umno.

The next day, another former minister Anifah Aman, who is the MP for Kimanis, also resigned. Speculation is rife that more would follow suit.

Earlier, Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam claimed that Mustapa was threatened with court charges if he did not resign.

He also linked the Umno exodus to a possible showdown between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his designated successor Anwar Ibrahim.