Muqharabbin, commonly known as Qobin, said Umno members have been misled over the party’s previous “No Anwar, No DAP” pledge.

“In meetings, it (the pledge) was always emphasised, but in the end, it was all in vain. What is the point of having meetings if we were eventually misled?” he said in a Facebook post today announcing his defection.

Before the last general election (GE15), Umno’s annual general meeting passed a resolution that it would not work with Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim and DAP.

After GE15, with no party winning a simple majority, Anwar, as the head of the coalition with the most seats, was given the opportunity to form a coalition government with Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and several other smaller parties.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi subsequently said the “No Anwar, No DAP” pledge was only with regards to GE15.

He also said BN’s decision to form the unity government with Anwar was in line with the wishes of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Muqharabbin, who quit as an Umno Youth exco member in January following the sacking and suspension of several top leaders, said he was joining PN to strengthen Malay unity.