Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad gave his assurance that his party, Bersatu, will not be taken over by Umno defectors.

"We are also concerned (by the spate of Umno defections). We don't want to give the impression that Umno is taking over Bersatu.

"We are very serious about vetting these people," he said in an interview at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya.