He said the MPs had met PPBM top leaders including chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and president Muhyiddin Yassin, either individually or in groups.

“They indicated that they are open about quitting Umno and joining PPBM, but the problem is they have to figure out what will happen next as some of them have issues or are exposed for investigations,” he told reporters after opening the Tebrau PPBM division meeting here today.

Kadir said the issue of who would inherit Umno’s assets was also occupying the MPs’ minds as the party had not been declared bankrupt.

Asked if the MPs are trying to escape investigations, Kadir said there is no guarantee that they would not be investigated after joining PPBM.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin confirmed that several Umno MPs had met him, but refused to say how many.

Last night, former International Trade and Industry minister Mustapa Mohamed joined PPBM, more than a month after he quit Umno.