Johari Abdul Ghani said the decision by several Umno leaders to contest under a different banner after being dropped by BN was “unhealthy” for democracy.

He said party members must remain loyal even if they were not picked as candidates, Berita Harian reported.

Johari, who is BN’s candidate for Titiwangsa, added that when he lost in the last general election, he continued to support the coalition.

“If there are any quarrels, deal with them internally rather than jump ship,” he was quoted as saying.

Former Arau MP Shahidan Kassim and former Maran MP Ismail Abd Muttalib are defending their seats under the Perikatan Nasional banner, while former Padang Besar MP Zahidi Zainul Abidin is contesting the seat as an independent candidate.

Yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said members who contest in the polls for other parties or as independents will be automatically sacked.

When asked if the trio’s actions would impact BN, Johari said the people were not easily fooled by such “stunts”.