KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) is prepared to receive any Umno leaders who were dropped from competing in the 15th general election (GE15) by their party, coalition chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has said.

Muhyiddin said it has always been the party’s policy to accept anyone, but certain factors must still be taken into consideration before a candidate is selected.

"PN’s policy is whoever wishes to be our member we have never stopped or obstructed. That is the decision from way back, up to one’s personal preference.

"Membership is no issue, but the issue of becoming an election candidate must be given due consideration because the seats we are contesting have been finalised.

"I cannot elaborate much on the seats because what we have has already been finalised, and it’s nearing Nomination Day,” Muhyiddin was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia during an event in Hulu Terengganu.

Muhyiddin also expressed shock at the number of experienced leaders dropped by BN.

Yesterday, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim declined to say if he would defend his Arau seat on a PN ticket, after he was unceremoniously dropped by Umno.

The Arau incumbent instead claimed his platform would be to oppose Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and said this would be the reason for the "unification of Umno, Bersatu and PAS”.

Shahidan’s remark alluded to the Muafakat Nasional pact that had once been meant to encompass the three Malay-Muslim parties, but went defunct due to unresolved rivalry between Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

However, the pact was never officially registered as a political party, and it would not be possible to contest as a MN candidate in GE15.