BERSATU will only accept individuals from the opposition if they are cleared of past wrongdoings and acknowledge their mistake in supporting the previous Barisan Nasional government, president Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

In a statement, the home minister also stressed that Bersatu is not obliged to offer any post to any defector, should they receive membership.

He said that Umno lawmakers who are considering joining Bersatu will be put through the same membership screening process as any other.

“Bersatu is open to all, as stated under the party’s constitution that any individual aged 18 and above, have the right to become a Bersatu member.

“After we received the application form, the Supreme Council will decide and if there is solid reason to reject, the Supreme Council will not accept the application,” he said.

Muhyiddin said that those involved in corruption, abuse of power or any crime under the Penal Code would not be spared from facing the law, simply because they are in the ruling party.

“Membership into Bersatu does not mean an individual can escape from the law if there were wrongdoings in the past,” he said.

The Pagoh MP said the party will conduct a strict screening process to anyone including members of Parliament or assemblymen before they can be accepted.

“Bersatu has its own policy and its own mechanism in selecting newcomers. Not just any individual, but also lawmakers will undergo a thorough background check before the party can issue a membership,” he added.

Muhyiddin’s statement came after several Umno lawmakers decided to ditch their old party and join Bersatu under Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership.

Among those who had left Umno and joined Bersatu – a component of the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition – are former Umno secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Aman, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Shamsudin, Johor assemblymen Rasman Ithnain and Roslaily Johari, Bagan Serai MP Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali and four senators – Khairudin E.S. Abd Samad, Suhaimi Abdullah, Isa Abdul Hamid and Aknan Ehtook.

Recently, several top Sabah Umno leaders had left the Barisan Nasional lynchpin party and pledged support to Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership.

Yesterday, six Umno MPs left the party by informing party secretary-general Annuar Musa of their departure in a letter to its headquarters.

The six are Hamzah Zainudin (Larut), Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Shabudin Yahaya (Tasek Gelugor), Mohd Faisah Mohd Fakeh (Sabah Bernam), Latiff Ahmad (Mersing) and Ikmal Hisham (Tanah Merah).

With the departure of the six MPs, Umno has lost a total of 17 MPs and is down to 37 seats in Parliament, from the 54 it won in the 14th general election. – December 15, 2018.