KUALA LUMPUR: Ex-Umno lawmakers eyeing membership in Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties must not only first prove themselves as Independent politicians, but also accept the condition that they not hold any party posts for one year after their membership applications are approved.
These were the requirements for Umno defectors laid out today by Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) communications director Khalid Abdul Samad.
The Federal Territories Minister said the guideline was agreed upon by all PH component parties, which are Amanah, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and DAP.
He said the guideline serves as a filter for the potentially large number of former Umno leaders and grassroots members who claim to have lost faith in the party.
“(There are Umno) leaders (coming to) see me, saying that they feel disappointed and wish to leave Umno.
“I told them to become Independent first. (And that) if they were accepted (into PH), they cannot hold any positions for a year,” Khalid said at a press conference after the launch of B10 biodiesel for Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) vehicles here.
Following PH’s historic 14th general election win on May 9, Umno was hit by a series of defections, with the latest exodus of elected representatives and divisional leaders seen in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
The mass ship-jumping and expressions of interest by ex-Umno members and leaders in joining PH have been greeted with contrasting responses by its component parties.
DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang expressed tentative support for the entry of party-hoppers into PH, while PKR advisory council chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail voiced opposition to the idea.
