No money deal for Umno MPs to cross over – Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) did not strike any deal with Members of Parliament (MPs) from Umno, including offering them money to cross over.

The Prime Minister who is also Bersatu’s Chairman said instead, “we have stipulated that to join Bersatu they should leave Umno, become independent for a period of time and only then apply to become a member of our party”.

“If you find any element of corruption in this, you are welcome to report it and we will take action. So far there is no money involved,” said Dr Mahathir when asked whether there was element of corruption when Umno leaders jumped ship to Bersatu or were intending to do so.

Dr Mahathir said this after delivering his keynote address at the Anti-Corruption Summit 2018 here, yesterday.

Jeli MP Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed Mustapa crossed over to Bersatu on Oct 26, after he quit Umno on Sept 18. Another 40 Umno MPs were said to have met Dr Mahathir and Bersatu President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over their intention to join the party.

Dr Mahathir pointed out that, however, the process of accepting the other Umno leaders into Bersatu is not going to be easy.

“For example, Tok Pa was an independent for some time before his application was approved,” he said.

Dr Mahathir also dismissed allegations that there were ‘under table’ discussions in this jumping ship game with the 40 Umno MPs who allegedly expressed the desire to join Bersatu.

He said the Bersatu leadership had not entered into any negotiation with the Umno members said to be interested in joining Bersatu.

Bersatu has not made any decision on whether or not to accept the Umno members keen to join the party. - Bernama