Bersatu lifts moratorium on recruiting Umno defectors

Mukhriz Mahathir today announced that Bersatu has lifted its moratorium on recruiting rival party members.

"There is no more moratorium, we welcome anyone who wants to join us. There is no longer a need to wait for two or three months.

"This is because we are aware that our objectives and struggles are the same," said the party's deputy president.

Mukhriz was speaking at the Hijrah 2.0 (Crossover 2.0) event in Machang, which saw Umno's former Bukit Tuku assemblyperson Mohd Zain Ismail and 500 others joining Bersatu.

He said the group was joining Bersatu after losing faith in Umno.

"At the same time, I am also seeing Umno desperately trying to prevent their members from joining other parties even though they are no longer in power."

Mukhriz, who is also Kedah menteri besar, said Umno was demonising the ruling parties in a bid to deter its members from defecting.

He said Bersatu welcomed those who are sincere in its struggle.

"But there are certain leaders such as Pekan (MP Najib Abdul Razak) and his cronies, I believe they are not suitable for our party, and we will reject their application (if they want to join)," he stressed.

The lifting of the moratorium comes more than two months after Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad initially put a stop to it.

"It seems there are many from opposing parties who were defeated and want to join the parties in Pakatan Harapan.

"But we find that the rakyat cannot accept people from Umno and other (former ruling parties).

"Therefore, they should not be accepted as members (in Harapan)," he had said. -Mkini