Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin presented Ras Adiba with a membership certificate at the launch of the Perikatan Nasional election machinery in Negeri Sembilan, Berita Harian reported.

Ras Adiba said she chose to join Bersatu to support PN’s efforts to uphold the interests of the people, including the disabled community.

“I had considered joining Bersatu for several weeks. After observing the political situation in our country, I am backing the leadership under Muhyiddin and will provide my full support (in the state polls) as a native of Negeri Sembilan,” she was quoted as saying.

Ras Adiba said she did not join Bersatu with the intention of being fielded as a candidate in the state election next month, but did so to help ensure PN formed the Negeri Sembilan government.

She said she had been an Umno member until the end of last year but decided to join Bersatu due to the changing political situation in the country.

Ras Adiba was made a senator to represent persons with disabilities in the Dewan Negara in May 2020, during Muhyiddin’s tenure as prime minister. Her term ended on May 19 this year.

She was also appointed Bernama chairman by the former PN-led government in November 2020, on a three-year tenure.

Former Putrajaya Umno deputy chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, former Negeri Sembilan PKR Women’s chief Azlimah Zamli, and former Jelebu PKR chief Mazmi Ahmad Yusof also received their Bersatu membership certificates last night.

Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Selangor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will go to the polls on Aug 12, with nomination day set on July 29 and early voting on Aug 8.