PUTRAJAYA: The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Supreme Council, in its meeting on Friday, did not discuss the issue of the entry of former Umno leaders into the party.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the meeting only discussed the preparations ahead of its annual general assembly.
He said the meeting also discussed motions which would be raised at the assembly by the supreme council, Armada (youth) and Srikandi (women’s) wings.
"No.. none (memberships) have been approved. Like what had been agreed upon and made public, those applying to become members of Bersatu must undergo a cooling off period.
"They have to be independent, must go through a vetting process, clearance from the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) as well as police.
“Most importantly, an applicant must be a ‘good enough person who is able to fight alongside the party and understand its struggles," he told reporters after chairing the supreme leadership council meeting earlier.
Following the 14th general election, Umno had been hit with a series of defections, with the most recent incident seeing six of the party’s parliamentarians in Peninsular Malaysia leaving the party.
They were Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid, Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Datuk Shabudin Yahaya (Tasek Gelugor), Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Datuk Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam) and Datuk Dr Latiff Ahmad (Mersing).
On Dec 12, a large number of the Umno Sabah leadership - five parliamentarians, nine assemblymen, and two senators - left the party on the basis that it no longer had a clear direction.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said Bersatu’s three-day annual general assembly is a significant one as it is the first after Pakatan Harapan won GE14.
He said among the issues which will be raised include politics, the party and its direction forward, the role of the party in PH, areas of economy as well as education.
“Issues related to the interest of people include maintaining harmony, as well as dealing with issues of race and religion in order to develop a united Malaysian nation.
"These are among the critical matters which will be debated during the assembly. We will make the most of this opportunity (to discuss these issues)," he said.
He said an estimated 1,359 delegates will be attending the assembly, as well as 600 delegates from both the Srikandi and Armada wings. He said preparations for the assembly are in order.
"The speech by our chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be the highlight. Even I do not know what he is going to speak about," he said.
He said Bersatu’s state representatives have met and raised issues of interest to the party's secretary-general and information chief. These, he added, will be brought up during the debates.
Muhyiddin said a number of PH leaders are expected to attend the assembly this time. They include PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang as well as leaders from other PH component parties.
Sixteen foreign delegates were invited to attend the assembly, while a press corp of around 300 people will be covering the event.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said no policemen would be deployed for the event as it is a political party assembly.
“This gathering is about a political party. We will not misuse them (police) and use them for party matters.
“I’m not here in my capacity as the home minister. There are no policemen here, this is a political meeting. We did not request for the polcie as we have our own security, including from the PICC (Putrajaya International Convention Centre).
“But if the police wish to come here, they are most welcome.”