Pakatan needs to consult Umno if OK to accept sacked members

 

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan has yet to decide if it will accept former Umno members who have expressed their desire to join one of the parties in the coalition, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Pakatan chairman said this matter would be discussed with Umno leaders soon, out of respect for Umno which is part of the unity government.

"We take note that some ex-Umno members have expressed their intention to join us. We will discuss it with Umno leaders," he told a news conference after chairing the PKR central leadership council meeting here on Monday (Feb 6).

On another issue, the Prime Minister also said that his daughter Nurul Izzah would never abuse her position as his senior adviser on economics and finance, reiterating that she was not getting paid.

"There is no possibility of her using that position to amass wealth and influence decisions on tenders, contracts or projects.

"Yes, I need her expertise to assist me but let me emphasise that she is there to protect and pursue the agenda of good governance and incorruptibility.

"I take a strong position against those who have criticised the appointment, particularly those who have awarded billions or hundreds of millions of ringgit of contracts to their son or son-in-law, or cronies, when they were in power," he said.

Several parties have criticised Anwar over the appointment but he defended it by saying his daughter was qualified for the job as she had degrees in engineering, and public and social policy.

Anwar said he respected the views of citizens who seemed concerned that Nurul Izzah might misuse that position for personal and family benefit.

"I can assure you that will not happen under my administration," he said. – Bernama