In the wake of Mustapa Mohamed's exit from Umno, A Kadir Jasin has hinted that the party could stand to lose up to 40 of its federal lawmakers.

When contacted, the Bersatu supreme council member said such speculation has been circulating for some time, and added that a number of these wantaway Umno lawmakers may defect to his party.

"I have heard these rumours, these talks, that up to 40 Umno MPs will leave the party. And maybe, a number of them would be joining Bersatu," he told Malaysiakini.

Kadir, however, reiterated that Bersatu compels potential members to first serve as independents, with the party reserving the right to accept or reject their applications.

"Not just anyone will be accepted to join," he stressed.

Asked whether the matter was discussed during Bersatu's supreme council meeting last night, Kadir said it was not a part of the formal agenda, but was mentioned in passing as leaders prepared to announce Mustapa's entry into Bersatu.

Mustapa, a former minister, announced his decision to join Bersatu last night, just over a month after he decided to walk out of Umno.

The veteran of over 40 years decided to call it quits because he believed his party was veering further away from his political principles.

Besides Mustapa, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Bagan Serai MP Noor Azmi Ghazali and Kimanis MP Anifah Aman have also left Umno in recent months.

Umno is now down to just 49 MPs from the 54 it had immediately after the general election.

With Mustapa, Bersatu now has 14 seats, while Amanah has 13 seats, DAP, 42, and PKR, 50.