PM: Quit your party first before joining Bersatu

KUALA LUMPUR: The acceptance of ex-Umno lawmakers and leaders from Sabah into Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is not based on their past political affiliation, says its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I was an Umno member and they accepted me and Lim Kit Siang also accepted me as a (former) Umno member.

“Their acceptance was not based on party membership but what they have done (for the party).

“Of course, if you do something wrong, you will be rejected,” he told reporters after launching the 20th anniversary celebration of the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) and Scholar’s Library yesterday.

The Prime Minister was asked to comment over dissatisfaction among some on within PKR and DAP over Bersatu’s acceptance of former Umno lawmakers and leaders.

On this, Dr Mahathir acknowledged that there were even those among Bersatu who were dissatisfied.

“Whether not happy or happy, that is personal,” he said.

Asked if accepting former Umno leaders into Bersatu may be seen as a betrayal of the people’s trust in Pakatan Harapan, Dr Mahathir noted that he was a former Umno member.

“I formed the party (Bersatu)... otherwise they would not have allowed me to form the party which is also made up of former Umno members, “he said.

Dr Mahathir said those seeking to join Bersatu must first quit their party and become Independents.

He said they must also support the government, adding that they would be evaluated individually before being accepted into Bersatu.

On a photograph of him posing with several Umno leaders which had gone viral, Dr Mahathir confirmed that they had met him.

“They came to see me to tell me that they were going to leave Umno and wanted my advice ... nothing else,” he said.

Dr Mahathir was seen sharing a meal and posing with Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, former party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, Tan Sri Noh Omar, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and Datuk Yahya Abdul Jalil.

On his political secretary Muham-

mad Zahid Md Arip being implicated in the corruption charges against former Felda chairman Tan Sri Isa Abdul Samad, he said: “It is just an accusation. Whether right or wrong, we wouldn’t know it.”

Dr Mahathir said that a person could still serve until convicted.

According to the charge sheet, Zahid acted as the middleman between Gagasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd director Ikhwan Zaidel and Isa.

The bribes were allegedly meant to facilitate Felda’s purchase of the Merdeka Hotel & Suites there.