Anwar: PKR reluctant to accept Umno defectors, reform the priority

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR shut its doors to former Umno members intending to cross over because it wants to maintain the principles of its struggles for the reform agenda, says party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

Anwar acknowledged that PKR had been approached by several former Umno members, but said he decided to "delay" their plans to join as members because Pakatan Harapan already has a good majority in the Parliament. 

“Whether to quit or to remain in Umno, that is their right. For PKR, there were several ‘offers’, but I decided to ‘delay’ it because we already have enough majority. 

“Second, because the people have supported Pakatan, that is why we want to defend the integrity and the principles of our struggles so it will not hamper the change that we wish to achieve,” he said. 

Anwar also acknowledged that the public may feel uneasy about Barisan Nasional leaders having backdoor meetings with Pakatan leaders over the intentions to cross over, but said such meetings and having a cordial relationship should be encouraged.

“Although some people expressed displeasure about the meetings, which I don’t understand, (but) to me, meeting and having a cordial relationship should be encouraged.

“I made it clear to them, you can remain in your party, or be independent. But it would be difficult at this juncture for us to accept (them) because the general mood of the public is to support Pakatan and our reform agenda,” he said.

When pressed, the Port Dickson MP refused to divulge the names of these former Barisan leaders, saying that it isn’t proper because he does not intend to consider allowing them to join as members.

“But I do appreciate the fact that they approach and I made it very clear to them that we are a party committed to reform.

“We fought in the elections together against a corrupt government and therefore you must allow us to pursue this without any hindrance.”

Anwar was speaking to reporters after officiating party vice-president Tian Chua’s book launch at Universiti Malaya titled “Lakaran Jiwa Merdeka: Catatan Dari Penjara Kajang” (Scribbles of the Spirit of Merdeka: Notes from the Kajang Prison) on Thursday (Dec 13).

On Wednesday (Dec 12), Sabah Umno was crippled following the exodus of its key leaders, which saw the resignation of nine out of its 10 assemblymen, five out of its six MPs and 22 out of 25 division chiefs.

It is widely speculated that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), chaired by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is set to open up a chapter in Sabah, and that these former Umno leaders are expected to join the party.

On Thursday, former Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati announced her membership in Bersatu, saying that the reason she decided to cross over is to better serve her voters at the Masjid Tanah parliamentary constituency.