Three Johor Umno reps jump to Pribumi

JOHOR BARU: Three newly appointed Barisan assemblyman have agreed to join Pakatan Harapan with immediate effect.

They are Sedili's Rasman Ithnain, Johor Lama's Rosleli Jahari and Endau's Alwiyah Talib. All three represented Umno in GE14.

Rasman led them in a press conference that was held at a hotel here at 10.20am on Saturday.

"We decided to join PPBM for the unity of the people.

"Looking at the outcome of the recently concluded GE14, it is obvious that people want a change and we also want to abide to that demand.

"As elected representatives, we believe we can best serve and bring development to our constituents by joining Pakatan Harapan," he said in the presence of about 20 supporters.

He said they made the decision was without any pressure or threats from anyone and was by their own choosing.

Johor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia secretary Datuk Osman Sapian (second from left) with three Barisan assemblymen - Rosleli Jahari (left), Rasman Ithnain (third from left) and Alwiyah Talib (right). -Abdul Rahman Embong/The Star

This results in Pakatan increasing its number of state seats to 39 and Barisan dropping to 16. PAS has a single seat in the assembly.

Rasman said he expects all their division and branch members to also follow suit in joining Pribumi.

"We decided to join Pribumi because this party has many former Umno members and we know quite a number of them personally," adding that the trio made decision on Friday after not leaving their houses for two days in processing the outcome of GE14.

Rasman declined to comment when asked if their move was because they had lost confidence in Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak or Johor Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Shortly afterwards, Pribumi secretary Datuk Osman Sapian said they accepted the trio's application to join Pribumi pending a vetting process.

"Switching sides is a normal thing in politics, but we will make sure that their application to join Pakatan will not (negatively) affect us," he said.

He added that he has yet to receive any other interest from other Barisan assemblyman who may be interested in joining Johor PH but welcomed them to join if wish to do so.

"It will further strengthen in Johor's administration," he said.