'It's what they are now that counts' - Dr M says on Shabudin

Among the more controversial figures to join Bersatu's ranks today is Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahaya, who came under heavy fire in 2017 when he suggested that marriage between rapists and their victims could remedy social ills.

A year prior, Shabudin highlighted alleged corruption in then-Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng’s purchase of a bungalow in Jalan Pinhorn, which resulted in criminal charges that were subsequently dropped.

Now a member of Pakatan Harapan, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Shabudin should be judged not by his past, but who he is now.

“I think if I look at your background, I am quite sure you would have committed some minor misbehaviour, something wrong," he told reporters.

“If you look at everybody's past, you cannot appoint anybody because they have all made mistakes in the past. But you can't hold that against them. 

"It's what they are now that counts."

Mahathir was asked whether he condoned Shabudin's past behaviour, including his comments about rapists marrying their victims and his accusations against Lim, now the finance minister in Mahathir’s cabinet.

The Bersatu chairperson was speaking at a press conference after seven former Umno MPs were issued their Bersatu membership cards.

Shabudin was also present at the event, but declined to take reporters' questions.

Marzuki Yahya, the Bersatu candidate for Tasek Gelugor who filed an election petitionagainst Shabudin's win in the 14th general election, had previously said the case would proceed despite the latter joining the party. -Mkini