KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) — The growing number of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members resigning to join Umno shows that there is a major shift in the political stand of the Malays, said Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
He said the en masse participation of the former members of the PKR gave a clear indication to the party leaders that the Malays were prepared to make a change and marginalise family politics.
“So, the more than 200 PKR former members who joined Umno within less than two days today are giving a clear signal to (PKR advisor) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and party president, who is also his wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail) as well as Yang Berhormat Nurul Izzah, who is his daughter, that it is time that the PKR is abandoned and left merely as a symbol,” he said.
Rais, who is also Information Communication and Culture Minister, said this when asked to comment on the resignation of 215 members of the PKR Lepar Utara branch in Pahang to join Umno today, thus dissolving the PKR branch.
Rais said the group who were prepared to come back to the basic struggles would always be accepted openly by Umno for the sake of change and championing the cause of the race, religion and country.
— MORE
RAIS-PKR 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
“I”m not only speaking on national politics but I”m speaking for the sake of the Malays. It is now time for PKR (members) to join Umno where the Umno president, who is also the Prime Minister, (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) is opening the door for such people to rejoin the fundamental cause of the people.
“So the sign that emerges today is positive for change, and if the Malays realise how important politics is gauged in terms of numbers and strength, this is the time (to unite) so that the people ”will not kick” us at will or to use derogatory language on us, saying that we have declined or weakened in terms of politics,” he said.
Rais hoped that the reminder could be accepted, and welcomed PKR members to join Umno so that the cause for the people, nation and religion could be achieved.
This could be reflected at the Galas state by-election in Kelantan on Nov 4, he added.
— BERNAMA
