Former minister and Umno supreme council member Mustapa Mohamed has joined Bersatu tonight, making him the first Umno MP to do so.

Announcing his decision at the Bersatu headquarters tonight, he said he agreed with Prime Minister and Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s commitment to “integrity and transparency”.

“My decision to embark on this new political struggle is because I believe it will give me a chance to play a more effective role [...]

“I support all Mahathir’s efforts to emphasise integrity and transparency in order to create a better administration for political parties and the country,” he told a press conference held after a Bersatu supreme council meeting.

“I also support the steps taken by Mahathir and the government to fortify the country’s financial standing. These efforts are important to create a strong foundation and to ensure our economic growth is sustainable,” the Jeli MP added.

Earlier during the press conference, he had submitted his Bersatu membership form to Mahathir and was in turn presented with a mock membership card with his name printed on it.

Last month, the 40-year Umno veteran had announced his departure from Umno as he believed the party’s current direction was “no longer in line” with his political principles and that there had not been “significant efforts to rejuvenate the party”.

Mahathir: Mustapa fit for Bersatu

Welcoming him to the fray, Mahathir said the former International Trade and Industry Minister was fit to join the party.

“We gave him time to be an independent MP.

“After observing his stand (on issues), we agreed that he is qualified to be a Bersatu member,” he said.

When asked if more former or current Umno MPs would be following in Mustapa’s footsteps, Mahathir was coy but said he welcomed it.

“We are open but they have to be independent first,” he quipped.

Besides Mustapa, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Labuan MP Rozman Isli, Kimanis MP Anifah Aman and Bagan Serai MP Noor Azmi Ghazali also left Umno following the May 9 general election.

While Rozman has joined Parti Warisan Sabah, the other four have yet to join any party.

Umno currently has 48 MPs, down from 54, immediately after the May 9 general election.