She added that posts held are meant to facilitate these reforms and defend the interests of the people.

“It’s not surprising that many, especially bigwigs, want to join PKR now that it is part of the ruling government and its president is the prime minister.

“But this party is not a place for one to reap benefits for oneself,” she said in a statement on former Umno MP Zahidi Zainul Abidin’s move to join PKR.

In the 15th general election, Zahidi was dropped as a Barisan Nasional candidate for the Padang Besar parliamentary seat which he had held for two terms.

He contested as an independent, resulting in the automatic termination of his Umno membership, and was defeated in both the Padang Besar seat and the Titi Tinggi state seat.

Fuziah said PKR had never prevented anyone from joining the party if they were genuinely interested, adding that potential members must go through the standard process.

“There are no shortcuts.”

Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi had played down Zahidi’s move to join PKR, saying it was aimed at ensuring his political survival.