UMNO leaders must leave their party and the culture of corruption if they want to join Pakatan Harapan (PH) said Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The economics affairs minister said that was what Mustapa Mohamed did before joining Bersatu on Friday.

“Umno leaders have to push away their party before joining PH. This was done by Mustapa Mohamed,” he told reporters at the sideline of the launching of a joint report on the Belt and Road Initiative and Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said Mustapa, who is also known as Tok Pa, is someone who has valuable experience as a former minister and long-time Jeli member of Parliament.

“And now he feels that Umno can no longer be saved because of the corruption that has even affected the country’s sovereignty. Therefore, he decided to join PH,” said Azmin.

Azmin, who is also Gombak MP, said he is confident that many Umno leaders are able to see the difference in leadership between Umno and PH.

Asked if PKR would accept Umno leaders, Azmin said it depended on the individual as long as he or she leaves behind the corruption culture and accepts PH’s reform agenda.

Mustapa quit Umno on September 18, citing loss of confidence in the party leadership after senior party leaders attended the PAS annual congress in Kuala Terengganu.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said PH had taken some time to recruit Mustapa after his exit from Umno so as to find out where he stands on certain matters.

Mustapa is also Air Lanas assemblyman in Kelantan and he is among the five MPs and 13 assemblymen who have quit Umno since the 14th general election. – October 30, 2018.