'If Azmin and I team up, I am confident PN can capture Selangor' - Noh Omar

SHAH ALAM - Former Selangor Umno chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar joined Bersatu under Perikatan Nasional (PN) not out of a desire for rank or position.

Noh claimed that his decision was based on principles and the values he has always upheld.

"No one knew I was joining PN, not even my wife. I told myself that if Najib's (Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak) case wasn't resolved, I had no other choice.

"Claims that I joined Bersatu to either strengthen or undermine certain leaders are simply untrue," he said in an exclusive interview with Sinar on Wednesday.

Noh clarified that these rumours were deliberately spread by those who feared his alliance with Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in Selangor.

"Imagine, we were once rivals but now we are united. Naturally, PN will become stronger.

"In the recent state election, PN secured 22 seats in Selangor. If Azmin and I team up, I am confident PN can capture Selangor," he said.

Noh said that he was once entrusted by Umno to ensure DAP and PH remained the Opposition in Selangor, and this principle continues with PN.

"I thank Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for accepting me into Bersatu, as well as Datuk Seri Azmin who contacted me for future collaboration.

"I will support him (Azmin). I have spent decades making Tanjong Karang a Umno stronghold, but today Umno is destroying itself.

"So, I have to switch to a different ship with Bersatu and PN," he said.

Noh confirmed his immediate membership in Bersatu effective July 4.