Bagan Serai MP, four Umno senators join Bersatu

Former Umno turned independent Bagan Serai MP Noor Azmi Ghazali, along with four Umno senators, have joined Bersatu.

This was announced during a press conference led by Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad after the party's supreme council meeting in Petaling Jaya today.

The four senators are Khairudin ES Abdul Samad, Aknan Ehtook, Suhaimi Abdullah and Isa Abdul Hamid.

Mahathir said Bersatu was willing to accept the former Umno leaders into the party to beef up Pakatan Harapan's numbers in both houses of Parliament.

He said the five were also accepted after fulfilling requirements set by Bersatu, and agreeing to the stipulation that they cannot hold party posts for one year.

"I would like to welcome the senators and MP into Bersatu, who join after fulfilling certain conditions. 

"We are ready to accept them because as we know, we (Harapan) are short in numbers to make up two-thirds (in Parliament)," Mahathir said during the press conference.

"When this happens, at times we are stuck in fulfilling our promises, as there are several promises require a two-thirds (majority). 

"With them joining Bersatu, we may be able to get the numbers needed."

When asked if there would be more defections from Umno into Bersatu, Mahathir said he could not talk about things that have not happened yet.

Meanwhile, Noor Azmi – who won the Bagan Serai seat on a BN ticket before announcing his exit from Umno just over a month later – said he appreciated Bersatu's decision to accept his membership application.

Telling reporters that today was a momentous day for him, as it was also his 57th birthday, he underlined his commitment to realising the Harapan government's policies, and to help Bersatu serve the country and its people.

Bagan Serai MP quits Umno, supports Dr M

Umno defectors are only 'flies who look for garbage and faeces', says Zahid

Dr M: BN defectors will be vetted, backers of thieves turned away

Can Umno/BN defectors ever reform?