PKR and DAP have attempted to meddle in the internal affairs of their ally Bersatu, accused former Malacca chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik.
Rahim, who submitted a membership application to join Bersatu on Dec 16, accused both parties of blocking him from becoming a member of Bersatu.
In doing so, the two Pakatan Harapan parties had exerted pressure and issued threats against the Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian today.
"This is undemocratic and cowardice that should not be allowed and if they have successfully (blocked me from joining Bersatu), then (they have) meddled in the internal affairs and matters (of Bersatu)," he said.
"The collaboration of DAP and PKR put pressure on Mahathir to block (me from being granted) Bersatu's membership and this came from the sense of guilt of several party leaders who once mistreated me via a despicable political conspiracy," he added.
"Obviously, their action was none other than to cover up their sense of guilt," he said in a statement today.
Rahim, who served as the sixth Malacca chief minister for 12 years, was investigated for rape of a minor in 1994. The case was later dropped due to lack of evidence.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, the Kota Melaka MP at the time, had criticised the then-government for not acting against Rahim.
Lim (above) was subsequently jailed under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
DAP's Kota Malacca MP Khoo Poay Tiong had urged Bersatu to reject Rahim's membership pointing out that Rahim was part of the “Datuk Trio” group which had screened a sex video to journalists in 2011.
They had claimed the video showed PKR president Anwar Ibrahim allegedly with a prostitute. Anwar had denied the allegation.
Bersatu's grassroots leaders have also expressed reservations that recruiting Rahim would taint the party's image.
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