Doubts arise over Azmin joining Bersatu

Pakatan and Bersatu leaders rubbish claims as ‘not logical’ and ‘impossible’

PETALING JAYA: As another round of speculation is gathering steam on PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali supposedly wanting to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), leaders from both parties moved in quickly to pooh-pooh it.

Pakatan Harapan leaders dimisssed a WhatsApp message being widely circulated as “not logical”, with some even saying it was “impossible”.

The message, which had a photo of Azmin, said he would move over to Bersatu with 20 PKR MPs.

Even a top Bersatu leader said that he did not believe Azmin, who retained his post would leave PKR.

PKR vice-president and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin said such a scenario “will not happen”.

“I don’t know which group is propagating this,” said Zuraida, who is the Housing and Local Government Minister.

Permatang Pauh PKR deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin said he believed those who had opposed Azmin during the recent party elec- tions were behind it.

Wanita PKR chief Haniza Talha said such “fake messages” only served to destabilise Pakatan Harapan as a coalition.

“There is just too much politick- ing going on,’’ she said.

Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya, who oversees membership, also confirmed that there was no truth to talk of Azmin joining the party.

In November, at a time when Azmin was locked in an intense battle with Rafizi Ramli for the PKR deputy presidency, speculation was rife that should Azmin lose, he would join Bersatu.

Azmin, who is the Economic Affairs Minister, denied that he would do so back then.

PKR central leadership council member Sivarasa Rasiah said, “It is illogical to suggest Azmin will leave.

“Azmin knows that whatever his battles are, he has to fight and win them inside the party itself,” said Sivarasa, a PKR MP and Deputy Rural Development Minister.

PKR sources said Azmin was not likely to set his eyes on a “one race party” like Bersatu.

“He won big in the last election and if he joins Bersatu, he would have to start from scratch,’’ said a source.

There is just too much politicking going on. Haniza Talha