KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin responded with a terse “good luck” when asked about the decision by several former party figures to join PAS.

Speaking after a working visit to the 4th Royal Artillery Regiment at Segamat Camp today, Khaled, who is also defence minister, said former minister Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim had left Umno long ago and that his decision to join PAS was not unexpected.

He suggested Zaid, who previously served as Kelantan Umno deputy chairman, was seeking a new political platform.

“Good luck,” Khaled said, as reported by Berita Harian.

Earlier, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan announced the admission of 15 individuals during a ceramah held ahead of the Negeri Sembilan state election campaign in Seremban.

Among those introduced were Zaid; former Negeri Sembilan executive councillor and former Ampangan assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Rafie Abdul Malek; Rahimi Osman, a former private secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; and former Perak executive councillor and former Bersatu vice-president Datuk Hamidah Othman.

Takiyuddin said the group also included former youth leaders, civil servants and professionals from various backgrounds.