There are good people in Umno too, says Dr M

Prime Minister and Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad has defended his party's move to take in former Umno members.

"There were good people and bad people in Umno. The bad ones we don't take, we only accept the good ones," he told the media after attending the 20th anniversary of the Islamic Arts Museum today.

He reiterated that Bersatu will not take in former Umno lawmakers and leaders who had committed wrongdoings.

Citing himself as an example, he said his move to form a new party after leaving Umno was accepted by his allies in Harapan.

"I was an Umno member myself, they (the then-opposition) accepted me. (DAP veteran Lim) Kit Siang accepted me," he said.

He dismissed criticism that Bersatu had betrayed the people's trust by accepting into its fold former Umno lawmakers and leaders.

The recent exodus from Umno which saw the departure of 11 parliamentarians, with three joining Bersatu, raised concerns among the ruling parties and civil society.

Speculation was rife that Mahathir wanted this to strengthen Bersatu so his party will have bargaining power particular with PKR, which won 47 seats as opposed to Bersatu's 13.  

Mahathir said that Lim had agreed for Bersatu to take in former Umno members.

In a recent interview with Malaysiakini, Lim said former Umno leaders needed to express regret for their former support of the 1MDB affair before they joined Bersatu.

Mahathir added that Pakatan Harapan leaders who had voiced objections towards accepting former Umno members were expressing their personal opinion. 

"Even some in Bersatu dislike (taking in former Umno lawmakers) [...] whether one likes this or not is a personal matter," he said.

Bersatu has outlined several conditions for former Umno lawmakers to join the party, said Mahathir.

"They must first quit the party to become an independent lawmaker, then we will assess individually," he said. 

[More to follow] 

-Mkini