Anwar: We didn't allow them to join PKR

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today said it has so far declined requests from some opposition leaders who were interested in joining PKR.

Anwar said the decision was made to defend the party's integrity and the principle of its struggle as well as to ensure that the reform agenda can be achieved.

"PKR has been approached and I do meet with them. I think in politics, although people express displeasure over these meetings, to having cordial relationships should be encouraged.

"But I made it clear to them. You can remain in your party or be independent but it would be difficult at this juncture for us to accept them because the general mood of the public is to support Pakatan Harapan and our reform agenda," he said when met at Universiti Malaya.

Earlier, Anwar had launched the PKR vice-president Tian Chua's book entitled Lakaran Jiwa Merdeka: Catatan Dari Penjara Kajang.

Anwar added that he had told them that the party is committed to reform.

"We fought in the election together against a corrupt government and therefore you must allow us to pursue this without any hindrance.

"Whatever the consensus, we must appreciate the fact that this is a reform of government.

“We are committed to the Pakatan Harapan agenda and issues of integrity and the need to undertake effective measures must be pursued," he said, adding that it's up to Bersatu to consider these views.

Anwar's comments come on the back of Bersatu accepting MPs who had defected from Umno, the former ruling party which is beginning to haemorrhage.

Both Bersatu president and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar have met with Umno stalwarts ostensibly to maintain cordial relationships.

Pundits are speculating that the end of Umno is nigh and recognising the signs, some Umno leaders are desperate to save their political lives and are seeking an entry into the ruling coalition.  - Mkini