KUALA LUMPUR: Suspended Umno assemblyman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis is now a PAS member, says Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
The PAS secretary-general revealed at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday (July 16) that Muhammad Jailani, who is the Rembia assemblyman in the Melaka State Assembly, became a PAS member in June 2023.
There are now three Perikatan assemblymen in the Melaka state assembly, including Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub (Bemban) and Dr Mohd Aleef Yusof (Sungai Udang).
Takiyuddin also said Muhammad Jailani joined PAS before Melaka enacted anti-party hopping laws in July 2023.
When asked why the announcement was made only a year after the switch, Takiyuddin said "It's our strategy. We make announcements at the right time and place."
When asked if Umno had been told of the decision, Takiyuddin said Muhammad Jailani was not obliged to inform them.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Jailani said he decided to switch sides "to be with the people", claiming this was different from the six former Bersatu MPs who pledged support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to obtain allocations.
"If the people are facing hardships, I will be with them," he said.
Muhammad Jailani claimed he told Umno to expel him from the party but was suspended instead.
Later on Tuesday evening, Melaka Opposition leader Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub welcomed Muhammad Jailani to the Perikatan Nasional fold.
"Congratulations, Muhammad Jailani for being part of Perikatan's family in the state," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
