We've met several party leaders but no rush to sign up, says Idris Haron

PETALING JAYA: The four assemblymen who triggered the collapse of the Melaka state government claim they have met several party leaders and are in no rush to join any political party, says Datuk Seri Idris Haron (pic).

The former Melaka chief minister said he and the three assemblymen, Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee, Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan, had met with leaders from Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, Parti Amanah Negara, PKR and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia.

"We have yet to submit an application to any party. We have been meeting many party leaders and they are very pleasant to us and supportive of our struggle.

"All of them encouraged us to move on and don't rush to make a decision," he told The Star on Thursday (Oct 21).

Asked if contesting as an independent in the state election was an option, Idris said it was still premature to say.

Earlier Thursday, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Pakatan Harapan would not field Norhizam as one of its candidates in the Melaka state election.

Sources have told The Star that Norhizam and Noor Effandi are unlikely to be endorsed by Pakatan due to their involvement when the previous state government toppled in March 2020.

In March 2020, the Melaka Pakatan state government was toppled following the defection of Norhizam and Rembia assemblyman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis and was replaced by a Perikatan state government led by Umno's Datuk Seri Sulaiman Ali.

Nor Azman was among the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia assemblymen who pulled out from the Pakatan-led Melaka state government in March last year.

Noor Effandi was later sacked from Bersatu for his involvement in the movement led by Idris on Oct 4.

Melaka state polls will be held on Nov 20 and nomination day will be on Nov 8.