‘It is not party-hopping but a migration’
Perak MB says Umno members joining Pribumi is for unity of people and nation
IPOH: Umno leaders and members who join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia should not be seen as party-hopping but a migration, says the Perak Mentri Besar.
Ahmad Faizal Azumu said yesterday there was nothing wrong with Umno members joining Pribumi as they understood the current political landscape and were doing so to serve and strengthen the state.
“We all are former Umno members. We know the facts and the party constitution.
“I don't see this as party-hopping. This is a migration towards unity of our religion, people and the nation,” he said at the submission of application forms to join Pribumi by Umno’s Sungai Manik assemblyman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin at a hotel here.
The state Pakatan Harapan and Pribumi chairman also congratulated the former Umno members who joined his party, adding that he did not invite any of the Barisan assemblymen to cross over.
“I texted Zainol Fadzi and met with him, but I didn’t tell him to join Pribumi. We discussed how to save the state government because of the stalemate,” he added.
Ahmad Faizal said he was proud of other Pakatan component party members who did not feel awkward about accepting former Umno members into Pribumi.
“This shows political maturity,” he said, adding that he would personally hand over the application forms to party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He also said the polls was a good experience for the people.
“It showed them we can resolve issues harmoniously.
“In fact, former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir was also present at my swearing-in and congratulated me,” he said.
“I appreciate his gesture and respect him. This is the kind of political maturity we need. The people come first, politics second.”
Zainol Fadzi said now that he has applied to join Pribumi, his Umno membership would be revoked.
“Some may see me as a traitor but I took into account the welfare of the people in my constituency. It will be easier to serve them with the state government,” he said.
Zainol Fadzi said he had doubts earlier but became convinced he was doing the right thing after receiving encouraging messages from his supporters.
“I felt assured when I saw a lot of other members with me. This showed I made the right choice,” he added.
Zainol Fadzi said he had also invited Tualang Sekah assemblyman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohd Radzi to come over to Pribumi.
“I understand she has resigned as Kampar Wanita Umno chief,” he said, adding that about 200 Umno members would be joining Pribumi.
Also seen joining Pribumi was Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, the former Behrang assemblyman who, with former Changkat Jering assemblyman Osman Jailu, left PKR in 2009 to become Barisan Nasional-friendly independents, contributing to the collapse of the then Pakatan Rakyat state government.
Other state Umno leaders seen at the application submission included Tanjung Malim division deputy chairman Datuk Dr Kamarul Rashdan Salleh, Teluk Intan division deputy chairman Naziruddin Bandi and Bagan Serai deputy chairman Abdul Muhaimin Abd Rahman Nazri.