Eurocopter whistleblower joins PAS
Former Umno Petaling Jaya Selatan division leader Zahar Hashim, who had alleged discrepancies in the RM1.6 billion Eurocopter deal, joined the opposition PAS today.
Former Umno Petaling Jaya Selatan division leader Zahar Hashim, who had alleged discrepancies in the RM1.6 billion Eurocopter deal, joined the opposition PAS today.
The retired army captain submitted his application to PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa at a function held in a hotel in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Also present was Selangor PAS chief Hasan Ali.
Earlier this month, Zahar was suspended as division leader for criticising the Umno leadership, including Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak.
During a division leaders meeting, he had accused the top two leaders of abusing their powers.
Speaking at this morning's function, Zahar claimed that 28 Umno branch leaders and 13 division committee members will also join PAS.
He dismissed the notion that he was defecting to PAS as a result of being suspended by Umno.
He also said that he was giving his building which used to house the PJ Selatan Umno division to the local PAS division.
He said that the office had remained shut for the past three weeks and will be opened by local PAS leaders tomorrow.
He added that he would also help campaign for his new party in the upcoming Kuala Terengganu by-election.
PAS is better...
On his reasons to join PAS, Zahar said he had been thinking about this for some time now, especially after the March general election.
Earlier in his speech, Zahar said that he had lost respect for the Umno leaders who had failed to protect the interests of the Malays.
"Umno today is so different from the party that I joined 26 years ago," he said.
He also revealed that he was offered a chance to replace the Selangor state assembly speaker Onn Ismail last year, an offer which he rejected.
"I was also offered (the opportunity) to stand as a candidate in the last three general elections but I had refused to do so as I wanted other local leaders to be given a chance," he added.
Nasharuddin in his speech said Zahar's first task as a new member would be to meet party president Abdul Hadi Awang as soon as possible.
"He is with us now to defend the race, religion and nation," he said.
Hasan in his speech to welcome Zahar said that former Umno man and the others were not joining PAS to seek financial gains or contracts.
He also said the party had increased its membership since the March general election.
"We have about one million members now," he said.
