Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has refuted claims that Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali will be joining his party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
Mahathir, who is also Bersatu chairman, said the presence of Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, and other party leaders at Bersatu’s third-anniversary celebrations in Shah Alam last Thursday, was not a sign that they would be joining the party.
According to him, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders, including Azmin and PKR vice-president Xavier Jayakumar, were at the anniversary celebrations as they were invited by virtue of their party leadership positions.
“Several of them came but they have not expressed any desire to join Bersatu,” said Mahathir.
“Azmin too did not hand in any application. If he did submit an application, we will consider,” he added.
Azmin was the sole PH representative during the prayer and Yasin recitation event – the lone figure wearing a grey Baju Melayu among the sea of red.
Azmin has been absent from a series of party meetings, leading to talk of a split in PKR between those aligned with party leader Anwar and Azmin.
There has also been talk of friction between Anwar and Mahathir over when the prime minister will hand over power to Anwar as promised in a deal by PH leaders.
Azmin recently thanked PAS and Umno for showing support for Mahathir to remain as prime minister until the end of the five-year term.