GEORGE TOWN: Penang Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Marzuki Yahya has received an application form from a Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblyman to join the party.
Marzuki said the discussion on the BN assemblyman’s intention to join the party had been raised at the state PPBM liaison committee meeting.
“We welcome the participation of any member of parliament, assemblyman or members from any political party to join us. This will further strengthen Pakatan Harapan’s standing in the country.
“But I can’t share the latest development until a decision has been made,” he told NSTP late last night.
It is learnt that the BN assemblyman decided to join PPBM due to financial constraints as a result of high debts incurred.
NSTP is attempting to contact the BN assemblyman for comment.
In the 14th General Election, BN only managed to retain two state seats in Penang.
Permatang Berangan was won by Nor Hafizah Othman and Sungai Dua by Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor.
In November 2012, the state legislative assembly approved the Penang Constitution Enactment 2012 to prevent the practice of jumping ship among elected representatives.
The move was to prevent the ruling government from being toppled through undemocratic means.
Under the enactment, any elected representatives who decided to jump ship would first have to vacate their seats and quit being members of any political parties, among others.