“This was what I told my component partners, that in the practice of democracy, we do not need to reject any parties wishing to join PH as it is not certain he will join PPBM.
“Some may be joining Warisan or maybe PKR, Amanah or DAP. So we should be open,” Mukhriz, the Kedah menteri besar, was quoted as saying by Bernama in Jerlun, Kedah.
He said he was aware of the concerns expressed by some PH leaders.
“We have explained to them that there is no desire to strengthen the position of Bersatu with more MPs,” he said.
At least 10 Umno MPs have confirmed quitting the party since Wednesday, fuelling speculation of an exodus that would leave the party crippled before the year’s end.
Yesterday, six Umno MPs, namely Larut MP Hamzah Zainuddin, Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahya, Hulu Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid, Tanah Merah MP Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, Mersing MP Latiff Ahmad and Sabak Bernam MP Mohd Fasiah Fakeh declared themselves as independents.
It came two days after dozens of Sabah MPs, assemblymen, senators and division leaders quit Umno.
Umno, which won 54 seats in the May 9 general election, is now left with 37 seats.
Mukhriz assured PH partners that PPBM would abide by its agreement within the coalition.
“We will seriously vet any quarters wishing to be members, and even after becoming members, such leaders would not be protected from police or MACC, we will allow the legal course of action to take place,” he said, referring to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
On Thursday, Selangor DAP’s Ronnie Lie urged PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad not to accept Umno MPs who quit the party, reminding the prime minister that he had called them “rubbish” before.
“Well, sir, if they are such useless rubbish, I certainly hope you won’t be a rubbish collector and take them into PPBM,” Liu said in an online post.
Earlier today, DAP chairman said PH should reject Umno MPs who were involved in graft-related investigations.
“It doesn’t matter who they used to be, a senior minister or anything. We will not accept such people,” said Tan Kok Wai.