THE entry of former Umno leaders and its elected representatives into Pakatan Harapan has been discussed by its presidential council, said Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Bersatu president said the issue had heated up, resulting in conflicting statements from PH leaders after several Umno MPs and assemblymen quit their party last week.

“There have been several discussions on this at the PH level. There are several things to consider before accepting anyone. There has been an agreement on this.

“The mass exodus has made everyone sit up. It is a good development and we have to be careful that it does not conflict with what we want,” he told the media after opening the Bersatu Malacca convention today.

Earlier today DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo said the PH presidential council must meet and discuss accepting former Umno elected representatives into its fold.

“This matter of BN elected representatives must be discussed thoroughly and carefully. The people’s mandate must be respected,” he said in a statement today.

Muhyiddin reminded PH to take into account that the pact does not have a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

PH currently counts 128 among its ranks in Parliament. A two-thirds majority is 148.

He said this was a stumbling block to the implementation of the PH reform agenda.

“PH does not have the numbers to make amendments to the federal constitution,” he said

The Pagoh MP said the party will not accept all the former Umno MPs and leaders.

“Bersatu has its process and procedure. There have been some among them who we have already rejected,” he said without naming any names.

To date, 17 Umno MPs have dumped the Malay party. Bersatu has accepted three into its ranks.

They are former international trade and industry minister and Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed, former Puteri Umno chief and Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, and Bagan Serai MP Noor Azmi Ghazali. – December 16, 2018.