Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir hopes UMNO will simplify further the process of registering members as some have claimed it is tedious.

"The process to register members is still besetted with various problems. I accept the grouses of the young professional group who are interested to join UMNO but some said they have submitted their forms three to four times but the forms kept disappearing.

"I understand the problem as I was also a victim to the same problem and it will be to our disadvantage as they were readily accepted by opposition parties," he told a news conference after a function 'An Evening with Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir' Thursday.

In this regard, Mukhriz who is also an UMNO vice-president candidate said the registration process should not be difficult for anyone as the party which is said to be inclusive should live up to the billing.

Commenting on a media report on an Umno veteran's (Datuk Rahmah Abdul Hamid) disappointment with Mukhriz for entering the vice-presidents' race, Mukhriz said he respected her opinion.

The veteran Umno said experience was important in choosing the right candidate.

"I respect the opinion. At the same time perhaps I can say that I think I did go through the whole process. I started as Jitra deputy division head. Then I tried my best to win the post of UMNO Youth chief in Kubang Pasu.

"I lost, but then I became UMNO Youth exco with the highest vote and then I again offered myself to stand for the UMNO Youth chief position, again I lost," he added.

Mukhriz said he had been active in UMNO for 10 years although his father and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not allow any of his children to be active in UMNO politics while he was still in power.

"I will try my best to improve from here on," he said.

Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad and former Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam are also contesting for the UMNO vice-presidents' post apart from the three incumbents, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.