KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan has said his departure from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) will not affect the new party as he was just an “insignificant” member.
“Bersatu is still strong without me. I was just an ordinary member who was so insignificant,” Khairuddin said in a statement last night.
The former Batu Kawan Umno vice-chairman asserted that he would still campaign for Parti Pribumi to help increase its members and provide other forms of assistance.
Khairuddin said he would remain loyal to Parti Pribumi chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for as along as he is alive.
The former Umno Batu Kawan chief previously said that he left the party despite being one of its initial founders as he wanted to focus on his legal challenges against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his administration.
He however insisted that he will continue with all his previous speaking engagements with PPBM and the Citizen’s Declaration movement but said he will be doing it in his personal capacity.
Khairuddin who shot to fame after lodging among the initial police reported against 1Malaysia Development Berhad also warned PPBM members, urging them to steer clear from making the party into a new version of Umno.
Khairuddin has been the subject to several lawsuits and investigations including one under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act.
PPBM was formed by former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and is chaired by Dr Mahathir.
The party sees itself as a splinter party from Umno and plans to contest against the ruling party in the next general election including by forming an alliance with the Opposition parties.
