Bersatu co-founder Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff has joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), party president Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Anwar’s announcement on Rais joining PKR comes after the latter had announced his decision to quit Bersatu last week.
“He was active in politics while in Bersatu as a strategic director and worked together with Pakatan Harapan in drafting several strategic measures, manifestos and negotiations during GE14.”
“Although he had not been active in Bersatu after that, he had turned his focus to research.”
“I therefore welcome him as a new PKR member,” Anwar said at a press conference at PKR headquarters today.
Anwar also stressed there has been no discussions yet about Rais contesting in the upcoming general election (GE15).
Rais, who was a co-founder of Bersatu, announced that he had quit the party last week.
He cited his inactivity as a reason for his decision.
Rais, in speaking after joining PKR today, said that he maintains the five core principles of reform, justice, inclusiveness, progressiveness and balance in his political pursuit.
He said that Malaysia is now in an economic crisis and that it needed effective solutions to escape it.
“We are not saying we only want to save Malaysia but what are the solutions we can provide,” he said today.
At the same time, Anwar also announced that former Bera Umno information chief Mohamed Jidi Yaakob had joined the party.
Jidi had previously worked under Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. – TMI