CO-FOUNDER of think tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who is rumoured to join Bersatu next week, was spotted at the party’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya today. 

He was accompanied by Bersatu strategic director Dr Rais Hussin, who was giving him a tour of the party’s gallery at the Bersatu headquarters at Menara Yayasan Selangor about 6.30pm today.

“I’m neither confirming nor denying at the moment, I’m visiting because we are planning an event,” Wan Saiful said when by reporters who had attended a press conference earlier.

He also refused to confirm whether Bersatu had asked him to join the party or if it would field him as a candidate in the 14th general election. 

“Several parties have been talking to me. I have been talking to people from several different parties. 

“Let’s wait until someone makes a proper offer. I’m still waiting,” the PAS member said. 

Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir earlier also refused to confirm the rumour, saying several prominent personalities have approached the party to state their interest to join the party led by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

“I don’t have the details (but) we will be extremely ecstatic if he (Wan Saiful) joins us,” Mukhriz told the press conference earlier. 

Yesterday, The Malaysian Insight reported that Wan Saiful, who started Ideas in 2009, will step down from his role as chief executive of the think tank on February 28.

Sources have said he is expected to join Bersatu.

Last November, Wan Saiful had said he was waiting to be removed from PAS following some of his recent criticisms of the Islamist party.

He has lashed out at the party for leaving its progressive principles, and called out on the leadership’s path towards conservatism following its internal party crisis in 2015, which led to the formation of splinter party Amanah. – February 23, 2018.