BN respects the stance of any leader in making their own decisions, including those who choose to leave the party ahead of the Johor state election on July 11, its chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

The Umno president said the decision was the individual's right, but the party greatly appreciated the support shown by both new and long-serving members for the Johor BN leadership under Onn Hafiz Ghazi.