WHY ARE 40 UMNO MPs WILLING TO JOIN BERSATU – WERE THEY OFFERED POSITIONS, WHAT PROMISES WERE MADE? DAP MAN CALLS ON MACC TO PROBE – IN MUCH-WATCHED LITMUS TEST OF ANTI-GRAFT AGENCY’S NEUTRALITY OR DO TOPMOST POLITICIANS STILL CALL THE SHOTS THERE?

TAIPING: Perak DAP has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate a claim that 40 MPs may leave Umno to join PPBM and avoid possible corruption charges.

Its vice-chairman Prof Abdul Aziz Bari said it was a matter of concern, especially if there were offers of positions and such.

He said the law does not prohibit the crossover of elected representatives from the opposition to the government.

“Nevertheless, it is not something good in a moral sense. They were elected on their party tickets and if they cross over, it will not be healthy for the nation’s political stability.

“What promises were made to them? I feel the MACC can investigate this speculation and scrutinise the developments,” he said after opening the delegates meeting of the Peninsular Malaysia Union of Administrative Assistants (Education) here.

Aziz, who is the Perak education, technology, science and environment committee chairman, was commenting on a statement by PPBM Supreme Council member A Kadir Jasin who said that up to 40 Umno MPs could leave the party and join PPBM.

Kadir had reportedly said that PPBM compelled potential members to first serve as independents, with the party reserving the right to accept or reject their applications.

In Alor Setar, 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.

“We welcome the others who are interested (to join PPBM),” he said after unveiling the Kedah Women’s Football jersey ahead of the Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup 2018 Tournament.

In Kuala Lumpur, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa said there had been attempts to woo Umno MPs to PPBM.

The attempts have been made directly and via intermediaries, he said at the Dewan Rakyat lobby.

Without disclosing any numbers, the Ketereh MP said many Umno MPs had been approached in a move to strengthen PPBM.

“The idea to strengthen PPBM comes from certain quarters and we are not just brushing it aside. We know that PPBM is weak, with only 13 seats, and we understand that PPBM can become unstable. As politicians, we understand the move (to entice the MPs).

“However, we won on the BN ticket. We have a responsibility to the people. We will be asked in the hereafter why we broke the trust, for example,” he said.

Asked if he would join PPBM if there was an offer, Annuar said he is loyal to Umno.

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