MUAR: Jorak assemblyman Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh said he was automatically no longer an Umno member the moment he was announced as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (PPBM) secretary-general.
He said based on Umno's constitution and party regulations, his membership was revoked when he assumed the position within PPBM.
"I made the decision to join PPBM and I am now entrusted to be its secretary-general. Based on Umno's constitution, once I have joined PPBM, my membership in Umno is automatically revoked," said Shahruddin in a press conference after the Bicara Rakyat Bersatu ceramah in Sungai Terap, Bukit Pasir here last night.
Present were PPBM chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, its vice-president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Shahruddin, 60, is a two-term assemblyman and Muhyiddin's former political secretary.
He, however, admitted that Barisan Nasional (BN) continues to have a "comfortable, safe and good" majority in the state assembly even if he was no longer an assemblyman who represented the ruling coalition.
He said he did not think there would be any more crossovers of BN assemblymen to PPBM in Johor.
"There might be rumours about it but to be honest, I don't think there will be any more crossovers. I am not there to persuade or invite them to join us."
He said he felt sad and left Umno with a heavy heart.
Yesterday, Johor BN chairman and Johor Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Shahruddin's decision to defect to PPBM has not weakened the ruling party.
On July 4, Shahruddin had quit his post as Pagoh Umno division vice-chief.
Earlier, Muhyiddin announced that PPBM has set up its first division in the country in Pagoh with more than 3,500 members.