Khaled rejects Dr M’s invitation for Umno to join PPBM

Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin today rejected an invitation by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for Umno to join PPBM.

Instead, Khaled poured scorn on it and expressed confusion at the invitation as the likes of PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin had already deemed Umno to be a dead party and one that is damaged or corrupt for purportedly wanting to defend only certain leaders.

“Does Dr Mahathir suddenly see Umno as a dead party that has resurrected? Does he see the party as one that has miraculously become not corrupt and not damaged?

“I stand firm that Umno will remain Umno. With clear principles and aspirations, we will continue to strive to change ourselves for the better, using our own ways, for the sake of Malays, Islam and a more progressive Malaysia.

“Therefore, I, personally and on behalf of Umno as a whole, cordially but firmly reject the invitation for Umno to join PPBM,” he said in a statement.

By right, Khaled said he would not be surprised if any political parties wished to work together with Umno as it is the largest Malay-based party.

“It is logical and practical to work together with Umno in running the country.

“As a matter of fact, this is what Umno and PAS are doing. The Malay community nationwide is expressing support for this cooperation,” he said.

Khaled said in past statements, Umno had always maintained the stance that PPBM was not the true voice of Malays, but a mere partner of DAP, “which is not serious about the Malay agenda”.

“I only hope that Dr Mahathir does not stand in the way of Umno’s resurgence and recovery,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa invited Malay-based parties, such as PAS and Umno, to join his party.

Mujahid reminded them that the country was heading towards a New Malaysia, and that members of other parties are welcome to join hands with them.

He said several other parties were not progressive, with many leaders facing corruption cases.

“We do not see Malays having much of a choice other than supporting PPBM, PKR and Amanah,” he told reporters at a Hari Raya programme at Dataran Merdeka today.

On the invitation extended to political parties to join PPBM, Mujahid said it will be good to unite the Malay community.

Mahathir, who is PPBM chairman, yesterday invited all political parties to join PPBM in efforts to unite and enhance the political strength of the Malays.

Mahathir said Malays were today divided into six parties, and the existence of so many Malay-based parties had narrowed the chances of them winning the general election.

“Six parties. It is no longer a majority of 60%, but each party only having 10%,” he said at a Raya open house in Johor Bahru. - FMT