KAJANG, March 15. Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the party was not at all surprised at the decision by former Agriculture and Agro-based Industry deputy minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar to switch to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). picture
"It was not a surprise. In fact, it was expected, because word was rife at the last general election that he was going do so.
"But his switch to PKR will not affect Umno in Penang. We have other leaders of higher calibre there," he told reporters after visiting residents at Kampung Paya here Saturday.
Shariff was reported to have announced his decision to join the PKR at a public forum led by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Kajang stadium here yesterday.
Formerly a Penang deputy chief minister, he was the Tasek Gelugor assemblyman for six terms.
Meanwhile, Shafie said voters should not assess the credibility of the candidate in the Kajang by-election based on the presentations at the forum, but on commitment to serve the grassroots.
"Our candidate, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun has been going to the ground to meet the voters and take note of their problems and resolve them," he said.
He also disapproved of PKR candidate Datuk Seri Wan Azizah's ploy to release a manifesto in the by-election, saying it was unnecessary as Kajang was under Selangor which was already governed by Pakatan Rakyat. BERNAMA