We’ll accept Umno MPs, but not the culture, says Muhyiddin
PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin says rejecting Umno’s political culture is among the principles that PPBM upholds.
(FMT) – PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin today said that just because the party was willing to accept former Umno members, it did not mean that it welcomed its culture.
Rejecting Umno’s political culture, Muhyiddin said, is among the principles that PPBM upholds.
“If their (potential members) values are not in line with the party, they won’t be accepted. We have certain criteria,” he said after opening a Federal Territories PPBM conference here this evening.
Muhyiddin was asked to comment on DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai’s statement that it was “unhealthy” for Pakatan Harapan component parties to accept former Umno MPs.
Tan’s statement came days after Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed joined PPBM after quitting Umno almost a month ago and on the heels of a report that claimed some 40 Umno MPs were looking to cross over to PPBM.
On a related matter, Muhyiddin admitted that many Umno MPs had met him and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
However, he said he could not reveal what was discussed.
“We have an open-door policy for anyone who wants to join us, they don’t have to be MPs, regular members too can join us.”
Muhyiddin, however, said that they had not discussed the matter with the other PH component parties, namely, DAP, PKR and Amanah.
Mahathir, who is PPBM chairman, had previously accused Umno of being corrupt and greedy.
Earlier today, PPBM deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir said the party would screen any potential members from Umno, especially its leaders, to ensure that they were “clean” and could uphold Pakatan Harapan’s political culture.
He said that those who wanted to join PPBM should fulfil certain conditions, such as leaving their “unhealthy” practices behind.
However, he said that PPBM won’t accept former prime minister Najib Razak, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other Umno leaders including Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and Barisan Nasional secretary-general Mohamed Nazri Aziz.
