PAGOH: Khairy Jamaluddin and other Umno members who were sacked or suspended recently are welcome to make an appeal to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that anyone, regardless of whether they were from Umno, were free to make an application to join the party under the Perikatan Nasional banner.
"Bersatu's membership policy has always been open to any Malay bumiputra or pribumi who wants to join. We also have an association wing for other races to join.
"So, if they are interested (to join Bersatu), they can meet with the respective division chiefs to express their intention and go through the necessary process.
"However, when it comes to certain known leaders, the party would need to bring it to the supreme council and consider the matter first before making a decision," he told reporters after attending the Pagoh Parliament Chinese New Year celebration here.
He said this when asked if Bersatu would welcome Umno members that were sacked or suspended by the party if they were to express the intention to join.
Muhyiddin, who once said that Khairy was "a good leader but in the wrong party" added that it would depend on Khairy on whether or not he wants to consider Bersatu.
"Khairy is a smart man and is loved by many. I know him well as he was a minister under my Cabinet. He has good qualifications and is mature in politics.
"It depends on him. If he feels that it is suitable (to join Bersatu), then he can apply and we will consider it," said Muhyiddin who was also Perikatan chairman.
The Pagoh MP who was once Umno deputy president said that he was also saddened and disappointed with what happened with the party.
"Maybe it is not right for me to get involved with other people's party but as someone who has been in Umno for many years previously and was also its deputy president, I am sad and disappointed.
"What has happened to Umno? It looks as though there is no more democracy in the party. As far as I know, they have a constitution. In fact, I was the chairman of the Umno constitution committee.
"If someone were to be sacked, there should be a procedure and there is also some room for an appeal to be made.
"However, in this case, the decision was made then and there. I don't know, maybe the president's power is higher," he said.
On Friday (Jan 27), Umno started its purge, having sacked Khairy and supreme council member Tan Sri Noh Omar.
Others punished included former vice-president and Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, former Youth exco member Datuk Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya, former Johor state exco member and Tebrau Umno division chief Datuk Maulizan Bujang and former Jempol MP Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Shariff.
They have been slapped with a six-year suspension order.
