‘100,000 ex-Umno members want to join PPBM’
KOTA KINABALU: More than 100,000 former Umno members have applied to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
“We welcome the announcement that Bersatu is opening branches in Sabah,” said former Sabah Umno chief Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor.
“More than 100,000 former Umno members, including members of parliament, assemblymen, and division leaders who left the party last year, have applied to join
Bersatu,” said Hajiji, who was performing umrah when contacted by the New Straits Times.
On Feb 5, Hajiji said Bersatu would spread its wings to Sabah, but was tight-lipped over former Umno members joining the party.
Hajiji was among eight assemblymen and five members of parliament in Sabah who left Umno after losing confidence in the party’s direction.
“As for PPBM’s leadership in Sabah, it is up to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to decide (on it).”
Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said Bersatu was free to establish branches nationwide.
“However, it would be better for Sabah’s development if it is led by leaders from existing state-based parties,” he said.