Perak DAP has called on the MACC to investigate a claim that 40 MPs may leave Umno and join Bersatu to avoid having to face the possibility of corruption charges.

Its vice-chairperson, Abdul Aziz Bari, said it was a matter of concern, especially if there are offers of positions and such.

He said the law does not prohibit the crossover of elected representatives from the opposition to
the government.

“Nevertheless, it is not something good in the moral sense. They were elected on their party tickets and if they cross over, it will not be healthy for the nation’s political stability.

“What promises were made to them and are there offers of posts and such? I feel the MACC can investigate this speculation and scrutinise the developments,” he said at a press conference after opening the delegates meeting of the Peninsular Malaysia Union of Administrative Assistants (Education) in Taiping..

Abdul Aziz, who is the state education, technology, science and environment committee chairperson, was commenting on a statement by Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin who said that up to 40 Umno MPs could leave the party and join Bersatu.

Kadir had reportedly said that Bersatu compels potential members to first serve as independents, with the party reserving the right to accept or reject their applications.

In Alor Setar, Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir said the party will screen
any potential member from among Umno leaders to ensure that they are “clean” and can uphold the new political culture of the Pakatan Harapan government.

In Kuala Lumpur, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa said there have been attempts to woo Umno MPs to Bersatu.

The attempts have been made by direct invitation and through intermediaries, he said to reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Without disclosing numbers, the Ketereh MP said many Umno MPs had been approached in a move to strengthen Bersatu.

“The idea to strengthen Bersatu comes from certain quarters and we are not just brushing it aside. We know that Bersatu is weak, with only 13 seats, and we understand that Bersatu can become unstable. As politicians, we understand the move (to entice the MPs).

“However, we won on the BN ticket. We have a responsibility to the people. We will be asked in the hereafter why we broke the trust, for example,” he said.

Asked if he will accept to join Bersatu if there is an offer, Annuar said he is loyal to Umno.

Umno supreme council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said Umno will be defended even if many members quit the party.

Asked about Mustapa’s decision to join Bersatu, he said it should be left to the people to evaluate.

“He was a minister for a long long time but how do you gauge whether a leader is great? It must be based on his contribution. He was in the government before, as minister for a few ministries, and what happened during that period? What did he bring to the people of Kelantan?” he asked.

- Bernama