‘PKR will not accept Umno MPs just yet’

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR decided not to accept several former Umno members who want to cross over to the party as it wants to maintain its main principle of its reform agenda, says party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He acknowledged that his party was approached by several former Umno members.

However, he said that he decided to “delay” the intentions of these individuals to join PKR because Pakatan Harapan already had a majority in 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 (MPs).

“Secondly, because the people support Pakatan Harapan, we need to defend the integrity and the principles of our struggles so it will not hamper the change that we hope to achieve,” he said.

Anwar was speaking to reporters yesterday after launching PKR vice-president Tian Chua’s book at Universiti Malaya titled Lakaran Jiwa Merdeka: Catatan Dari Penjara Kajang (Scribbles of the spirit of Merdeka: Notes from the Kajang Prison).

Anwar also acknowledged that there were concerns about Barisan Nasional leaders having “back door” meetings with Pakatan leaders with the intention to jump ship.

But he said such meetings, which were cordial, should be encouraged.

“Although some people have expressed displeasure on the meetings, to me, the meetings and having a cordial relationship should be encouraged,” he said.

“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.”

Anwar refused to reveal the names of the Barisan leaders because he does not intend to consider allowing them to join as members just yet.

“I made it very clear to them that we are a party committed to reform, therefore, you must allow us to pursue this without any hindrance.”

On Wednesday, 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 believed that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is set to open a chapter in Sabah, of which these former Umno leaders would be a part of.

Former Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati announced her membership in Bersatu, saying that she can provide better service to her voters at the Masjid Tanah parliamentary constituency.