ALOR GAJAH: Former Tanjung Bidara state assemblyman, Datuk Captain (R) Abdul Karim Sulaiman today became yet another elected representatuve to leave Umno and join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
The 70-year-old, claimed he made the move in a bid to save the Malays from being further divided into various parties which were were unable to champion the rights of the community, especially Umno.
Karim assured that he would not seek any positions in Bersatu and promised that he will seek to work towards unifying the Malay and bumiputera community to face future political challenges.
"Umno has been destroyed, as the party was given power by the Malays to champion their rights but some of its leaders had forgotten their place and their reponsibility to the people.
"We have Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who despite being 93-years-old is still able and continues to fight for the rights and needs of the Malays, eventhough he is no longer in Umno," Karim said after handing over his application from to join Bersatu at Kampung Jeram, Masjid Tanah, here today.
The application form was handed over to state Bersatu Deputy Chief and party supreme council member Datuk Rafiq Naizamohideen. Present was Masjid Tanah Member of Parliament Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin who recently joined Bersatu.
The four term state assemblyman between 1990 and 2013 followed in the foot steps of former Melaka Chief Minister Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik in leaving Umno to join Bersatu
Karim is a former Sungai Udang (1990-2004) and Tanjung Bidara assemblyman (2004-2013). He was the former deputy Masjid Tanah Umno chief when the division was led Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop.
He said Beratu members were welcome to visit him at his home but not to ask for money as often done by Umno members when he was elected representative, previously.
"If you want to drink coffee, please do so, but not ask money like Umno people did. When I was in Umno previously, people always visited me to ask for money," he said.