ALOR SETAR: Guar Chempedak assemblyman Datuk Dr Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail who previously announced his departure from Umno to become an independent state representative has joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
According to the former senior exco member, he sent in his application form on Monday and his membership was accepted the day after, in which he was also given a Bersatu membership number.
The 62-year-old said his decision to join Bersatu was made because he felt the young party had its own strength and a clear direction under the leadership of its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the national level, and its deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir at the state (Kedah) level.
Ku Abdul Rahman however denied that his move betrayed the rakyat in his area, or his old party Umno, expressing confidence that Bersatu was capable of fighting for religion, race and country.
"If we do something bad, destroy the country's economy, take the country's money... that is betrayal... I am not changing my religion, just changing parties, my struggles are on the same track," he said when contacted by Bernama today.
Ku Abdul Rahman explained that he was not offered any positions to join Bersatu and asked for all quarters to stop the polemic, instead to focus on developing the people and the state.
"At least with the decision I made, I hope the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in Kedah will be more stable with the number of state seats they have now," he said.
On Nov 12, Ku Abdul Rahman via Kedah state assembly speaker Datuk Ahmad Kasim announced he was leaving Umno to become an independent assemblyman after 45 years of being with the party. -- BERNAMA