50 quit PPBM, join Umno

SELAMA: Fifty Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) members in Perak have quit the party and joined Umno.

They submitted their membership forms to Larut Umno division chief Datuk Faizul Arby Mohd Shohor, witnessed by Larut member of parliament Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, yesterday.

Former Larut PPBM secretary Shafie Mohd Khairy said they made the decision after realising that the party could not champion the cause of Malays, and fought only for the interest of individuals in the party.

“We no longer believe in state PPBM chairman Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s leadership, as his appointment was influenced by DAP. We do not want to be with a party that supports DAP. Should the opposition coalition rule this country, the menteri besar would be from DAP.”

Shafie claimed that Larut PPBM had never resolved the problems faced by members.

“We have come to this decision as we believe no other party, except for Umno, is sincere in fighting for Malays.”

He rejected claims that their decision was prompted by “rewards”, as claimed by the opposition.

Hamzah, who is also an Umno Supreme Council member, said Umno’s doors remained open to anyone who wished to uphold religion, race and country.

“They (the ex-PPBM members) finally realised that PPBM doesn’t champion their cause. I believe there will be more who will rejoin Umno.”