120 ex-Bersatu leaders, members declare support for PH

JOHOR BAHRU: More than 120 former Bersatu leaders and members have declared their support for Pakatan Harapan ahead of the Johor state election on Saturday, according to a PKR Youth leader.

Faezuddin Puad, PH’s candidate for Kempas, said they expressed their intention to support PH much earlier, but chose to announce it publicly only today, Bernama reported.

Among the former Bersatu leaders are former Pulai Wanita Bersatu information chief Rafidah Ani, former Pulai Wanita Bersatu secretary Noriah Mat Daud, former Bukit Mewah Bersatu chief M Suhimi Abdul Rahman, and several division and branch committee members.

Faezuddin, the Johor PKR Youth chief, said they have informed the Bersatu leadership of their decision to quit the party.

He said their main reason for joining PH was the coalition’s practice of helping people regardless of their political leanings.

“We want to cultivate a new political culture, not the old culture of helping only supporters or cronies of certain parties. Perhaps that approach has made them feel comfortable joining us,” he said.

Rafidah said she was disappointed with the Bersatu leadership for failing to provide recognition and assistance to the people.

She said she had always wanted to help those in need, such as single mothers, but found it difficult to obtain the necessary support from her former party.

“I was disappointed because Wanita Bersatu members are treated like second-class members and not appreciated,” she said.

Suhimi hoped that Faezuddin will bring more facilities and progress to Kempas, particularly in terms of the economy and healthcare, if he wins on Saturday.

He also hoped to strengthen PKR in Kempas by attracting more members, especially from the Kempas People’s Housing Project area.