UMNO AGM The support for Muhyiddin Yassin in Pagoh after he formed the new Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has not been encouraging, Pagoh Umno division acting chief Ismail Mohammed said today.

"I see he still comes back to the area on Fridays, for the Friday prayers once a month.

"(But) his support has declined a lot since his time with us (Umno). The people of Pagoh cannot fully accept what he has done," Ismail said when met by reporters at the Umno annual general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

When Bersatu leaders visit the area, Ismail said, they only get a lukewarm reception from the local people.

He conceded that there are those in the area who joined Bersatu, but not many.

"Muhyiddin used to instil the values of loyalty to the party and the division and branch leaders are still with Umno.

"We see them as pure Umno members. Not many of them joined Bersatu and this has shocked them (Bersatu)," he said.

Ismail also said he was prepared to contest for the Pagoh parliamentary seat in the next general election.

He pledged that he would ensure Pagoh remains a BN constituency.

"I have no objections. If that is what is needed, I will contest. As the Pagoh Umno chief, I'm the one who should face Muhyiddin.

"I am fully confident, and there are no issues for the community not to support me. With our machinery and support, I'm confident we can win," he said.

Muhyiddin, the former deputy prime minister, was the Pagoh Umno division chief until he was sacked from the party.

He is now the president of Bersatu.