Ex-PPBM V-P Hamidah joins Putra
BATU GAJAH: Former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) vicepresident Datuk Hamidah Osman has announced that she has joined the newly-formed Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra).
Hamidah, who was also once Wanita Umno information chief, said it was time she continued her struggle in a party which should be considered an alternative to those already formed, adding that she would not rejoin Umno.
“I will continue to fight and work for the people via a new political platform... I do not want to be in politics merely for self gain.
“You have to understand why I have changed parties. It was never about position, standing or anything material, but based on certain situations,” she said at her house in Kampung Sungai Terap yesterday.
On Friday, a letter purportedly signed by Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa on Aug 7 went viral on social media.
The letter stated that the Umno disciplinary board appeals committee had agreed to rescind Hamidah’s expulsion.
Her sacking had been announced in November 2015 by then Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Hamidah admitted that she had appealed against the sacking but there had been no word about her appeal.
“After more than three months without a word (from Umno), Putra pro tempore president Datuk Ibrahim Ali asked me to join him as one of the party’s pro tempore committee members.
“In fact, I only found out about the letter regarding the rescinding of my sacking from social media... it was only the next day that I received the letter, but I had already decided to join Putra,” she said.
Hamidah said Umno needed leaders with credibility and integrity to regain its previous strength, adding that it also needed to get rid of those embroiled in scandals.
“After the recent Umno elections, I don’t see the party becoming a strong opposition as it still has old leaders and the change that the people hoped for did not happen.
“Compare this to Putra. It’s a new party with leaders who are clean or not involved in any issue, one which was formed with the agenda of looking after the interests of Muslims and Malays, besides defending the Federal Constitution.”