SEVERAL sacked and suspended Umno leaders have expressed interest in joining PAS, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said.

“Yes, there are a few leaders (who have expressed interest in joining PAS),” the Islamist party’s deputy president told The Malaysian Insight.

Although he did not reveal any names, the Kubang Kerian MP said there would be some “interesting” announcements in the coming months.

“Maybe (they will not join now) because the elections are still a few months away,” said Tuan Ibrahim.

“The Kelantan legislative assembly’s term expires on June 26. So maybe the state elections could be held in July or August.

“I expect some important announcements around June.”

In January, Umno sacked former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar and former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin for breaching party discipline.

It also imposed a six-year suspension on former vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein, former information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan, Maulizan Bujang and Mohd Salim Sharif.

Last year, Umno sacked its then Ketereh division chief Annuar Musa, Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, Zahidi Zainul Abidin, Ismail Abd Muttalib and Azhar Ahmad and handed a six-year suspension to former Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

Shahidan, who was dropped by Barisan Nasional in the November general election, defended the Arau parliamentary seat by contesting on the Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket.

‘Politicians need to be in a political party’

Tuan Ibrahim said it is difficult for a politician to survive without being a member of a party.

“If a politician has been suspended for six or seven years, there is no meaning for him (to be in the party) because he cannot contest in elections,” the former environment and water minister said.

“There are also others were sacked. So these politicians cannot (be without a party).”

He said being aligned with a civil society group is not akin to being with a political party.

“For example, Annuar (Musa). He is a politician but he started an non-governmental organisation (NGO). But the feeling won’t be the same (as being with a political party),” he said.

“If you raise an issue with the government as an NGO, you probably won’t get much attention.

“To pressure the government over policies or other matters, one needs to be in a political party.”

Tuan Ibrahim said PAS will not shut the door on anyone who wishes to be with the party.

“We welcome anyone who wants to join PAS, whether they were previously from Umno, PKR, DAP or even Amanah,” he said.

“If you want to be together, we welcome you.”

Tuan Ibrahim also said PAS is agreeable to Pejuang being part of PN but it is a decision to be made by the coalition and not just PAS alone.

“For us (PAS), we’re open. If the individual wants to join (PAS), then it is different. But if a party wants to join the coalition, then the decision has to be made by the PN Supreme Council,” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said thus far, no decision has been made on Pejuang’s application to join the coalition.

Early this month, Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir said the party has applied to join PN. – March 16, 2023.