EVEN IF UMNO WORKS WITH PKR, WE WON’T ALLOW IT TO JOIN HARAPAN, SAYS DR M: BUT WHAT IF UMNO WORKS WITH BERSATU – HOW THEN?

PETALING JAYA – Umno will not be accepted into Pakatan Harapan (PH) even if the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party works with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

This was the vow made by PH chairman Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in response to media reports that Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz had voiced his intent to help PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim campaign in the Port Dickson by-election.

“Even if Umno works with PKR, we will not accept them (Umno) into PH. If normal Umno members wish to join PH, we can accept. But not as a party (Umno) joining PH,” he said.

Dr Mahathir, who is also PH component Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, was speaking to the media after chairing the party’s leadership meeting at the party headquarters, here, today.

Yesterday, Nazri, initially via his wife, Datin Seri Haflin Saiful, had voiced support for Anwar in the Port Dickson by-election.

The Padang Rengas member of parliament said he was ready to campaign for Anwar on the grounds of fighting in Umno’s interest and opening the way for Umno to return to government.

Additional reporting by Mohd Iskandar Ibrahim and Lokman Ariff Abdul Karim.

– NST