Bersatu will vet Rahim's application, says Dr Mahathir

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 5 years ago · Published on 17 Dec 2018 2:08PM · 6 Comments

Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad says if Rahim Thamby Chik is not suitable, then the party will not accept him into its fold. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 17, 2018.

DESPITE a public outcry, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Bersatu will consider former Malacca chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik’s application to join the government party.

The Bersatu chairman and prime minister said the party will not simply accept anyone and will vet them to gauge their suitability. 

“If he is suitable (to join), then we will accept (his application). If he is not suitable, then we will not accept,” Dr Mahathir said after the MIGHT forum on Riding The Next Wave Of High Technology in Cyberjaya today. 

Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties and social media users have urged Bersatu not to accept Rahim, warning of damage to the ruling coalition’s credibility.

Those against Rahim joining PH recalled that the former Umno man had got away scot-free on statutory rape charges while Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng was jailed for speaking up against the case in the 1990s. 

“We will have to study first if he is independent and left Umno. If he is suitable, then we will accept (him),” the prime minister said.

Rahim was Kota Melaka MP at the time the statutory rape charges surfaced. Lim, who was part of the opposition at the time, had called on the government to protect and ensure justice for the 15-year-old victim and her family, which resulted in him being jailed under the Sedition Act for statements made against Rahim.

Rahim was also among those who, in 2001, publicly screened a sex video, claiming the man in it was current PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

Rahim had submitted his application to join Bersatu yesterday, saying he had left Umno because graft had destroyed it.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had said Rahim’s past should not be considered as the former chief minister was applying to join under new political circumstances. – December 17, 2018.

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Comments

  • WTF! That desperate!

    Posted 5 years ago by Watchdog Watchdog · Reply

  • Rahim Thambi was and is still your man from that time and now. You did not send him to the jail and in fact you protected him falling on the excuse that there was inadequate evidences where even the young girl mother cried ou to you but you let LGE substitute Thambi to be in the slammer. For this audacious crime nobody has forgotten and even if LKS and son LGE intend to forget and forgive Thambi , the Malaysian rakyat of all races will not do so. It will be the end of your glamorous career, if you still pursue and insist that the scumbag to be accepted into PPBM which is PH. The rakyat will insist you resign as the collections of scums and diets from Umno is intolerable and stretching the rakyat patience and understanding. Take heed !!!!! The rakyat make you strong and do not go thinking you are still the lone maverick.Do not think too highly of yourself.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Tun dont you have better people to choose from?
    Dont waste time on such character

    Posted 5 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply

  • Dr M, please seriously consider the long term repercussions to Bersatu and PH

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • PM Tun Bersatu and Tun dont need scumbags like rahim or the x umno Morons they will turn Bersatu to the likes of dumshit umno knowing Tun and Muhyiddin wont be there for long.
    Be it your son or anyone thats takes over will be BBQ. The choice is yours to make be sure of who Tun choose to join Bersatu. God Bless Malaysia .

    Posted 5 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • Tun TQ very much. Time for u to go. If no, we will kick Bersatu out.

    Posted 5 years ago by Guna Rethinasamy · Reply