Azmin and allies join Bersatu

(Malaysiakini) – Senior Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali today led his allies formerly from PKR to join Bersatu, formalising their status as a part of the Perikatan Nasional coalition.

“With the utmost sincerity, on this auspicious evening, myself and my team, we announce that we are joining Bersatu and supporting the leadership of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Now is the time to Bersatu (Unite). Bersatu for the nation. Bersatu for Malaysia,” said Azmin in a speech at the National Congress 2020, witnessed by Muhyiddin and top Bersatu leaders.

The congress themed “Bersatu untuk Negara” (Unite for the Nation) was hosted as a gathering of NGOs – Penggerak Komuniti Negara, Pemuda Negara, Wanita Muda Negara and Nation of Women (NOW) – all affiliated to former PKR leaders.

Some 2,500 people gathered at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur to witness the announcement, several months after Azmin’s departure from PKR, along with 10 other MPs who backed the formation of Muhyiddin’s administration.

The Sheraton Move in February also saw the downfall of then Pakatan Harapan’s government and a split within PKR, as the party subsequently rid its ranks of members and leaders aligned to Azmin as then deputy president.

Their entry grew the number of Bersatu MPs to 32, trailing behind Umno and DAP as the third-largest party in the Dewan Rakyat.