Umno denies bribing ex-Bersatu reps to defect

Umno did not offer any gifts or rewards to the two Johor Bersatu state assemblypersons who left the party, said party secretary-general Ahmad Maslan.

Ahmad (above), who is also Pontian MP, said that so far they had yet to receive any applications from the two individuals to join Umno.

"No gifts were promised, they quit Bersatu voluntarily and with a clear conscience, without us promising them anything… it was of their own free will.

"However, we thank them for their support for Menteri Besar (Hasni Mohammad) and BN,” he told reporters after attending a meeting with the Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party in Johor Bahru today that was also attended by Makkal Sakti president RS Thanenthiran.

Ahmad said this when asked if the two former Bersatu assemblypersons had applied to join Umno after announcing their resignation from the party.

Former Puteri Wangsa assemblyperson Mazlan Bujang

On Thursday (Jan 27), former Puteri Wangsa assemblyperson Mazlan Bujang, who was also the state education, information, heritage and culture committee chairperson, announced his resignation as the party's Tebrau division chief and quit the party with immediate effect.

Yesterday, former Larkin assemblyperson Mohd Izhar Ahmad, who is also state investment, entrepreneur development, cooperatives and human resources committee chairperson, announced that he had quit the party with immediate effect.

Commenting on PAS and Bersatu contesting in the coming Johor state election as Perikatan Nasional (PN), Ahmad said he wasn't surprised as it was expected.

"Seems like they are repeating what happened in Malacca, so in the political dynamics, we are surely ready for any eventualities. Prior to this, we did not say that the Muafakat Nasional cooperation was final, but yesterday when PAS joined Bersatu in PN, I don't see any space (for collaboration).

"Whatever it is, we must continue to work hard and not be overconfident,” he said.

 Yesterday, PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, after the Muzakarah PAS Bersatu 2022, said that PAS and Bersatu would contest in the Johor polls under PN and all component parties would also use the coalition's logo in the election.

- Bernama