ALOR STAR: Kedah Umno leaders are not among the "10 warlords" joining Perikatan Nasional (PN) ahead of the six state elections.
Kedah Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said this claim by PN was a mere political stunt aimed at misleading voters ahead of the state polls.
"So far, we have not seen any of our members joining them. In any organisation, political parties included, there will be occasions when members leave the organisation voluntarily or after facing disciplinary action. They'll leave on their own accord.
"This occurs not only from Umno to other parties, but also from other parties to Umno," he said during a press conference at The Jerai Hotel here today.
Madhzir cited former Pas Syura Ulama Council secretary Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali's move to Umno as an example, saying that politicians joining other parties before an election was nothing extraordinary.
"Take, for instance, Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin, who was not only a Pas member of parliament but also the Pas Syura Ulama Council secretary.
"Today, he is an Umno member and Umno Ulama Council deputy chairman," he added.
Mahdzir said the focus should be on selecting leaders who will contribute to the state's development.
"In my opinion, for the state's development in the next five years, we must have a state government that aligns with the Federal Government, which is why we use the Kalih Bagi Sama (Change to Streamline) slogan," he added.
On June 6, PN claimed that at least 10 "warlords" from Umno would join the coalition.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Melaysia (Bersatu) information chief Senator Datuk Razali Idris had said that among those who would join PN were leaders sidelined by Umno.
On June 12, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the party would announce a list of 10 former Umno warlords who would be joining the coalition in the near future at an appropriate event.