UMNO members siding Mukhriz can leave party - Johari

If these members remained in UMNO, their presence would only cause a split among other members who are loyal to the party's struggle, he said.

"Before this, there were many who left UMNO when they supported leaders who left and formed new parties like Semangat 46 and PKR but they finally returned to UMNO.

"UMNO is a strong party, and as UMNO members, we will defend our leaders in ensuring that the party's struggle for the Malays continue on," he said when officiating the Kubang Pasu UMNO Youth Delegates Meeting here Friday.

Johari, who is also Deputy Defence Minister, said UMNO would not stop anyone from leaving the party if they were sympathetic to Mukhriz and supported the new party formed by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In TUMPAT, UMNO Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun said foreign meddling with the aid of "traitors" could destabilise the country.

"Today, they (foreigners) are also being assisted by some Malaysians from NGOs, political parties and former leaders, either in trying create perception, hurling accusations or disinformation to cause political instability," he told reporters after opening the delegates meetings of Tumpat UMNO's Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.