Filter new members, PKR not a 'trash bin' – Hassan

JOHOR BAHRU - Former leaders of other parties who want to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) must be checked and filtered first because PKR is not a ‘trash bin’ party.

Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament Hassan Abdul Karim said those with criminal records, bankruptcy and corruption should not be accepted in PKR.

"It is appropriate, reasonable and responsible to check on the leaders of other parties who want to join PKR.

“PKR needs to maintain its clean image as a party that wants to bring good change or 'reform'.

"Elements that are parasitic, opportunistic or rogue and corrupt must be rejected," he said in a statement on Thursday.

On Wednesday, PKR Secretary-General Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed he expected more high-profile former leaders from Perikatan Nasional (PN) to leave their respective parties and join PKR in the near future.

Saifuddin claimed that he received applications from prominent opposition leaders in the national political arena who were interested in joining PKR.

On Tuesday, former Bersatu Party Supreme Council member Dr Muhammad Faiz Na'aman revealed more leaders and pioneering members of the party at all levels would join PKR.

Apart from Faiz, the latest additions of Bersatu leaders to PKR include former Dengkil assemblyman Adhif Syan Abdullah.

Commenting further, Hassan said his call to PKR leaders in the matter of accepting many new members, especially from other parties or ordinary people, including those who were previously hostile to PKR was to take an example from the history of Prophet Muhamad SAW.

"How did the Prophet, with an open but careful and prudent attitude accept many people, many parties and many tribes to join his struggle so that Islam grows rapidly," he said.

However, Hassan welcomed many individuals including from other parties, whether ordinary members or senior leaders to join PKR with the minimum condition that they honestly accept the party's policies and ideals as enshrined in the PKR Constitution.

"We, PKR members, need to think well and be big-hearted as well as open-minded. Don't be presumptuous, defensive and 'protectionist' early on.

"PKR is a reformist party. PKR is a party of the masses of people and not a party for the elite," said the former Johor PKR chairman.