BERSATU today refused to deny or confirm rumours that prominent academic Wan Saiful Wan Jan, co-founder of think-tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) will join the party.

The party’s deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir, however, said several prominent personalities in the country have approached the party, stating their interests to join the party led by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I think we will wait and see. I’m not denying or confirming.

“From time to time, I think you can expect us to make certain announcements that should shake up the political scene in the country,” he said in a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

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 the life-long PAS member since 1992 is expected to join Bersatu.

“I don’t have the details (but) we will be extremely ecstatic if he joins us,” Mukhriz said today.

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.

Wan Saiful had set up Ideas with his two friends, Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Tuanku Muhriz, the son of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, and banker Wan Mohd Firdaus Wan Fuaad.

In the last nine years, Ideas has released several public policy studies in the fields of governance, integrity, the economy and education.

Apart from being on the advisory board of several chambers of commerce, Wan Saiful is a regular commentator on political and economic issues in the country and region and is often quoted by local and international media, in addition to writing regular columns for various publications.

He is also a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. – February 23, 2018.