Bersatu will test sincerity of former Umno leaders — Dr M

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Dr Mahathir delivering his keynote address at the Bersatu Annual General Assembly at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday. — Bernama photo

PUTRAJAYA: Former Umno leaders who have been accepted to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will not be allowed to hold positions until the 15th general election (GE 15) as a test of their sincerity, said its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said the process could not be accelerated and only those who were truly sincere and have rid themselves of the Umno culture would deserve to hold office in the party.

“We will see to it that they are not given the chance to spread their political beliefs, culture or Umno ways. Bersatu is a clean party and will remain that way.

“The ones who are going to change are the former party members. They will adopt our culture. They will cooperate with us,” he said when delivering his keynote address at the Bersatu Annual General Assembly at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.

He said many were unhappy to see Bersatu accepting former Umno members into the party because they were worried that they would bring in the Umno culture.

Dr Mahathir said Bersatu would not accept the former Umno members easily as their records would have to be scrutinised and they were required to abide by other conditions.

“They must first leave Umno and go independent. As independent politicians they should show support for Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu.

“Bersatu will not accept former Umno members as a group. Only independent individuals will be accepted and their applications will be examined carefully,” he said.

According to Dr Mahathir, Bersatu would protect and take care of the interests of the Malays.

However, he said Bersatu could not always protect them as the real protector of the Malays are the Malays themselves. — Bernama