JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 40 Umno members of parliament nationwide could leave the party to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) soon, says PPBM Supreme Council member Datuk A Kadir Jasin.
He said he did not deny that some of these members of parliament have issues which need to be probed.
Joining PPBM, he said, should not be a move to save oneself as all quarters must respect the law.
“Those within Umno looking to join PPBM are not the same as Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who held key positions within the party and previous government.
“Anyone looking to join PPBM is bound to conditions; no exceptions will be made. PPBM also makes no promises of positions to them,” he said.
Kadir was speaking at a press conference after officiating the Tebrau PPBM assembly at Bricks Cafe Kampung Maju Jaya, Skudai, here on Saturday.
Kadir said the 40 Umno MPS are now mulling whether they will be joining PPBM.
“These Umno MPs are still thinking about what will happen after (they join PPBM).
“As usual, they will have to leave their party and become independents first before joining PPBM,” he said.
Kadir noted that PPBM members, meanwhile, should not be afflicted by the same ‘disease’ as Umno members.
“PPBM members need to have sincerity in their struggle and be dedicated without sharing the traits of Umno members.
“This disease had affected Umno before and can affect PPBM if it is practised here,” he said.
Meanwhile in PAGOH, PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said several Umno MPs had met him to seek his views on political developments as well as to obtain insight on the party’s direction.
However, Muhyiddin, who is also Home Minister, declined to reveal how many Umno MPs had met him.
“They came to meet me to ask my views on politics as well as on PPBM’s direction. But they have yet to decide on whether they will be joining PPBM or otherwise.
“We are the same as before; we are open to anyone, including those from Umno, whether they have positions or not.
“However, I cannot reveal their names,” he told reporters after a meet and greet session at the Bukit Gambir multipurpose hall here on Saturday.
Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh member of parliament and Gambir state assemblyman, said what is important is that if these individuals do join PPBM, they will only strengthen the party and its struggle.
“It will also strengthen the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. That is our priority.”
Meanwhile, commenting on Mustapa’s entry into PPBM, he said the Jeli MP was sincere and had no wish for positions within the party.
“He made the decision as he was confident with the party and wanted to support Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“He had met me way back and told me that he did not want anything except to contribute towards strengthening PPBM,” he said.