BUKIT MERTAJAM: A group of 77 Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth members have resigned from Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s stronghold in Permatang Pauh to join Umno.

Among those who quit were the Guar Jering branch deputy Youth chief Fakhrul Che Umar and treasurer Hesabudin Md Isa.

“After two years in power, the bickering between the Pakatan component parties has worsened. Can you imagine what will happen if Pakatan controlled the Federal Government?” Fakhrul said at a ceremony witnessed by Penang Umno chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi here yesterday.

New members: Ahmad Zahid recieving the Umno membership forms on behalf of Guar Jering umno branch from Saiful (right) in Permatang Pauh

Fakhrul, who was among PKR’s pioneer members, said the Youth wing had not received any allocation from the party to organise events for the people.

“What has PKR done for us here?” he asked.

Hesabudin said Pakatan had neglected the people’s welfare and the economy because they were busy fighting among themselves.

The two handed their application froms to join Umno with the others to Guar Jering Umno branch chief Saiful Hassan.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Defence Minister, said the Youth members had now realised that Anwar was no longer “relevant”.

“They supported him because they believed that his struggle was for Islam and Malay rights. Clearly he has misled them,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid urged Umno leaders in Permatang Pauh to “set a good example” for new party members by putting aside their differences.

“There has been on-going speculation that several of the division’s leaders have problems getting along. Let’s not fight among ourselves but work together and show a good example to our members.

“Your focus should be winning back Permatang Pauh from the Opposition,” he said.

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