Following is an article adapted from NST Online complete with responses by TTF (in blue):
PUTRAJAYA: The crossover of former Umno leaders should be deliberated in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council meeting, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today.
He said this in response to the recent crossover of seven former Umno leaders, who are members of Parliament into Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
The seven received their membership cards from Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday.
TTF: This is what The Sun Daily wrote on the 14th of December 2018:
Former Umno leaders can join any party in Pakatan Harapan (PH), including the DAP, said Lim Kit Siang.
The DAP advisor, however, said acceptance into PH does not mean they are free from legal action if they are found to have been involved in corruption and criminal acts under the previous administration.
The Iskandar Puteri MP said former Umno leaders wanting to join PH should also publicly admit if they failed to act in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal and were responsible in abetting the former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
“It is important for the for Umno MPs who want to join PH to redeem themselves by denouncing Najib and the 1MDB scandal, or they will be seen as opportunists.
“They also need to be prepared to support the new Malaysia transformational programme from a global kleptocracy to a country that leads in integrity.
“Of course, after they are in PH, and if it is found that they were involved in corruption and criminal acts, they will have to pay the price.“
Mind you, that was Guan Eng’s father talking.
Basically, the senior Lim gave the green light to former UMNO members wishing to join any party in PH, be it PPBM, PKR, Amanah or even PPBM.
There was no indication whatsoever that he gave the green light after convening a PH presidential council meeting or meeting with component party leaders.
So why the fuss?
Is it because Guan Eng expected the ex-UMNO members to join team Anwar in PKR rather than team Azmin-Mahathir in PPBM?
“DAP feels that the matter should be discussed in the PH presidential council meeting. I have brought this matter up with Dr Mahathir (who is PH chairman) and he has been receptive about it and has agreed to have such a meeting.
“So let us discuss it first in the meeting. This is my comment for now on the current development (relating to the recent crossover),” said Lim after a cheque presentation to Tahfiz schools, here, today.
TTF: Why meet now when Mahathir has already made a decision?
Is the meeting to discuss the entry of the ex-UMNO members into PPBM or to seek a presidential council resolution on Mahathir’s decision?
What about Kit Siang’s 14th of December 2018 statement?
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who is also Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) vice-president and Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.
On when the meeting would be held, Lim said it would be soon, but it would depend on Dr Mahathir’s availability because the prime minister “is a very busy man”.
Asked on the crossover which involved Tasik Gelugor MP Datuk Shahbudin Yahya whom the DAP secretary-general had strongly criticised for the former’s statement regarding rape victims should marry their rapists, Lim said he was absolutely against anyone who took such a stand.
“But, I don’t know the Tasik Gelugor MP’s stand (on the matter) now. He should make it clear,” Lim added.
TTF: In 2017, Shabudin gave a 12-point explanation on the matter and put it down to inaccurate reporting and fake news.
Lim didn’t accept the explanation then.
Why the sudden willingness to reconsider?
Does that willingness mean Lim is willing to accept crossovers provided that those who crossover are made members of PH and not component parties within the coalition?
A source has indicated that to be the case.
Shabudin had come out to say that news reports attributed to him of “rapists asked to marry underage victims” were inaccurate and bordering on fake news.
The Tasik Gelugor MP gave a 12-point explanation on the matter in 2017.
For Mujahid, he said anyone who wanted to join PH must be clear of what was needed from them to make the crossover, including accepting the coalition’s struggles and that they were still answerable to any wrongdoings committed in the past.
“Any crossover should not be viewed as a move to `cleanse’ oneself from past wrongdoings. It is wrong to assume that once one joins PH, one will become pure like an angel,” he added.
Mujahid also echoed Lim’s view that such crossovers should be discussed in the PH presidential council meeting.
“This is to ensure any crossover will not be abused for one’s own interests or for any other interests except to uphold PH’s struggles,” he said.
Aside from Shabudin, the other six who received their Bersatu membership cards on Tuesday were Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (Larut), Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Datuk Dr Latiff Ahmad (Mersing), Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Datuk Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam), and Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah).
Adapted from:
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