KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Former Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah has resigned from the party to join PKR.

PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail announced this today.

"Today, we welcome Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah in joining the big family of Keadilan. His membership will definitely strengthen Keadilan's effort to foster people's unity and strength for change," Dr Wan Azizah said.

Saifuddin said he will quit his position as CEO in the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) and had contacted the chairman earlier today with regards to his decision.

He cited his divergent reform views with the Umno and ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership as one of the main reasons for quitting the Malay party for PKR and the opposition Pakatan Harapan pact.

“I wanted to build the country through institutional reforms and this is something Pakatan Harapan is doing.

“It is something that is not discussed comprehensively in Umno and Barisan Nasional... it is unfit for me anymore. That is why I join this side,” he said.

Dr Wan Azizah stated that they are still discussing which position is suitable for Saifuddin in PKR and will announce this once it is confirmed.

Saifuddin, who heads the Global Movement of Moderates started by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had widely been viewed as among the more left leaning members of Umno.

The former deputy minister of higher education had also been a rare dissenter against decisions by the ruling Barisan Nasional, notably those involving university students and their participation in politics.

His progressive views, however, made him unpopular with the conservative Umno, and he eventually lost his spot on the Umno Supreme Council in 2013.

Saifuddin was also among the casualties when the opposition made gains during Election 2013, losing his Temerloh federal seat despite his personal popularity.

He most recently courted trouble with Umno when he attended a roundtable that discussed the future of the Malaysian opposition, prompting the party to issue him a show-cause letter.