Independent MP Zahrain Mohd Hashim has today submitted his application to rejoin Umno along with 350 former PKR members, some of whom are from his constituency of Bayan Baru in Penang.

Others who submitted their application letters to rejoin Umno to Prime Minister Najib Razak in Georgetown are from Bukit Gelugor and Jelutong.

zahrain hashim parliament 180310 Zahrain ( right ) quit PKR two years ago citing his disappointment with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his disillusionment with Pakatan Rakyat. He described Lim's rule in Penang as "chauvinistic, arrogant and communistic".

Speaking to reporters after the lunch, Zahrain, who was once Penang PKR chief, said he decided to return to Umno because it was the only party that could champion the Malays, particularly in Penang, and look after the non-Malays as well. 

"I was duped into believing the opposition's struggle. PKR and PAS claim that they champion the Malays but they only capitalise on the interests of the Malays. They are good at making promises," he said.

Zahrain claimed that more opposition party members in Bayan Baru and other parliamentary constituencies in Penang would be joining Umno, and this would give the state BN an edge over the opposition in the 13th general election. 

Asked whether he would support the BN if he was not chosen as a candidate in 13th general election, he said he and his supporters would back anyone nominated by the BN in Bayan Baru and would ensure a BN victory. 

Umno was terrible, but PKR much worse

Meanwhile, former Penang PKR Wanita chief Aminah Abdullah, who also submitted her application to join Umno, said she left the PKR in 2007 and decided to rejoin Umno for she was confident that only the BN could assist all communities in the country.

Former Bukit Gelugor PKR deputy division chief Roslan Rahman Shah said he quit the PKR two years ago after the party failed to fulfill its promises to the voters, especially the Malays, in the state.

"Before they get our votes, they will make all sorts of promises, but after they win, they just couldn't care less about the people, especially at the grassroots level," he told reporters after attending Najib's luncheon with the people in the compound of Bayan Baru Umno division office today.

Roslan said he joined the PKR with Zaharin because he believed that the opposition was capable of helping and improving the people's well-being.

"I used to think that Umno leaders were quite terrible in their efforts to help the people, but after I joined the PKR, it was obvious to me that PKR leaders were worse. So, I quit the party because I want to help the people in Penang.

"Now, seeing the prime minister promoting the concept of 'Promises Fulfilled', I know it is a proof of Umno's resurgence and increased awareness to help the Malays and other races in Malaysia," he said.

Meanwhile, Jaringan Melayu Pulau Pinang (JMPP), a Malay non-governmental organisation, submitted a memorandum to the prime minister, asking the government to control on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activities to protect Muslim faith in Malaysia.

- Bernama