Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s brother Abdul Hakim joining PAS did not touch a raw nerve for Umno, said its supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

Puad (above) said Hakim was not a “heavyweight” in Umno who could give PAS an advantage.

“Umno is not surprised Hakim joined PAS. Umno lives on. ‘Mad Tyson’ (former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhd Taib) returned to Umno. We are waiting for Annuar Musa. What will PAS get from him? He lost badly in Nenggiri (BN defeated the Perikatan Nasional candidate for whom Annuar was election director).

“There is nothing in PAS that represents purity of faith, political survival, or Islamic struggle.

“Umno is not surprised by moves to leave the party. Under Zahid, Umno has its own bargaining power,” he said in a post on Facebook today.

Yesterday, Hakim officially joined PAS after submitting a membership form to party president Abdul Hadi Awang at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Abdul Hakim Hamidi submitting his membership form to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang yesterday

Hakim’s participation in the Islamist party was announced by Bagan Datuk PAS chairperson Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki in a video recording uploaded on the Parit Buntar PAS Facebook page.

Puad cynically said that the individuals who deserve to be recognised for joining PAS are Muhammad Muhd Taib and Annuar Musa.

This is because these two are former senior Umno leaders. However, Muhammad, a former Selangor menteri besar, later returned to Umno’s fold.

Hardly a historic day

The Johor state assembly speaker also challenged the notion that Hakim’s entry into PAS was a historic day.

Former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhd Taib

“Muhammad or Annuar should have been more deserving of that recognition.

“They are former Umno vice-president and general secretary, respectively. Hakim is not a heavyweight. He may be good at business. PAS should not be more ‘spoon than gravy’ (lebih sudu daripada kuah - a proverb meaning an exaggeration without substance),” he added.

Puad also reminded PAS that its former president Asri Muda was an Umno member from 1989 until he died in 1992.

PAS welcomes Umno president's brother as new member

PAS welcomes Umno president's brother as new member

Bagan Datuk 'murder' shocks PAS, death of democracy mourned

Bagan Datuk 'murder' shocks PAS, death of democracy mourned

Saving Zahid? Umno fumes over PM's aide behind-the-scenes disclosure

Saving Zahid? Umno fumes over PM's aide behind-the-scenes disclosure

Puad: Towards GE16 litmus test, Najib's freedom Umno's top priority

Puad: Towards GE16 litmus test, Najib's freedom Umno's top priority