One S'gor Bersatu rep with Perikatan, four others with Dr M

PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, who has been sacked from the Selangor exco, says he supports Perikatan Nasional.

He also said that the other four Selangor Bersatu assemblymen who declared support for Pakatan Harapan had a right to do so, but added that they would have to decide whether to stay with the party or leave.

“I respect the decision of the Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to sack me, but that is quite a normal decision whenever a component party is not in the same faction as the ruling party.

“I accept the sacking with an open heart, ” the Selangor Bersatu chairman told a press conference at the Selangor state exco office of Tourism, Culture, Malay Civilisation and Heritage just before he packed his stuff and moved out.

“On the four Bersatu state assemblymen who have yet to inform me personally (of their decision to support former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Pakatan Harapan), I only knew of their wishes through the mass media and believe that they have not received the correct information on the current developments from the federal Bersatu.

“It is not true that I could not be contacted.

“As the Selangor Bersatu chairman, I am open to meeting them and explaining to them that it is their decision to make whether they want to stay on in Bersatu or leave.

“I support Bersatu president and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's decision for Bersatu to leave Pakatan, ” said Rashid.

He was referring to a meeting between four Selangor Bersatu state assemblymen and Dr Mahathir which took place last night (March 5).

The four assemblymen – from Jeram, Kuang, Batang Kali and Dengkil – announced that they would support Dr Mahathir and Pakatan, which is now the Opposition.

Rashid said he would continue his duties as Selat Kelang state assemblyman and assist the Selangor state government in development programmes despite being in the opposition.

“I’m sorry that I could not continue with the programmes (as an exco member) which I had planned or be part of the preparation of Visit Selangor Year 2021.

“I will convey my plans to the central government for the good of the Selangor people.

“I also thank the Selangor Palace for having appointed me as an executive councillor and apologise for any shortcomings throughout my 22-month tenure, ” said Rashid.