KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 13): Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has clarified there is no conscious effort to approach and encourage UMNO members to join his party. 

“There is no special task force being set up by Bersatu in particular to approach them (Umno). So I think if ever there is any intention of an Umno member to join, not necessarily the top level, maybe the division level; that is their choice,” he told reporters at the parliament lobby today. 

Muhyiddin, who is also Home Minister, was responding on Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa's claims yesterday that Umno representatives have been continuously approached by other parties to jump ship, hinting on PPBM. 

Annuar said he is finding it difficult to hold on to party members, with its lawmakers consistently being lured away to join ruling coalition Pakatan Harapan. 

“The party (PPBM) is open to all to join. It is not just for Umno, [but also for] non-Umno and individuals who feel they want to participate in the struggle that the party is fighting for,” Muhyiddin said. 

“So it's not right to say that we do that. It is up to anyone [to join us]. We did not make a special team to encourage Umno members to join Bersatu. That is not our plan,” he added.