CYBERJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today if former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Rahim Tamby Chik wants to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), the party would consider it.
Mahathir, who is PPBM chairman, said Rahim can apply and would be accepted if he meets PPBM’s standards.
“Otherwise we would not accept him. PPBM will not accept everyone as we must look into their character,“ he said after attending the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology annual dialogue.
“Once they have left Umno and become independents, we will want to see if the person meets the party’s standards.”
He said PPBM would not form a chapter in Sabah, but the people of Sabah were free to join the party.
On his political secretary Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, who was implicated in corruption charges with ex-Felda chief Tan Sri Isa Abdul Samad, Mahathir said accusations made against Muhammad Zahid did not mean he was guilty.
Muhammad Zahid, who was appointed Mahathir’s political secretary in May, was Isa’s former special officer and his name was mentioned in nine out of 10 corruption charges levelled against Isa.
“If he is found guilty, then we can admit that he is guilty,“ Mahathir said, adding that no one should jump to conclusions.
Meanwhile, PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the party had set up a committee to scrutinise applications submitted by former Umno leaders.
He said the committee will be helmed by the party’s deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
“PPBM will seek the help of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission as well as the police when carrying out the vetting process.
“The party will also carry out a political assessment internally,“ Muhyiddin said in a statement.
He said the decision whether to accept an applicant will be made by the party’s central leadership after receiving a report from the committee.
On Rahim’s application, Muhyiddin said he will have to undergo the same stringent process before any decision is made.
Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar said the decision by PPBM to accept Umno members was surprising.
“It also perturbs me to learn of actions being taken by opposition members in Umno to force a wedge between PH component parties.
“I call upon PH and its component party leaders to (ponder) why the majority of people rejected 61 years of Barisan Nasional rule in favour of us.”
Xavier said some of those who intend to cross over to greener pastures now that their own pasture is slowly turning into a wasteland are more concerned about the present and future leadership of PH than being sincere to the Pakatan’s cause.
“If we make a wrong decision about this, we will definitely get booted out come GE15 and become a one-term government that the Opposition hopes we will be,“ he added.
