KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- Federal Territories (FT) Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) treasurer Norasidi Salim tonight announced that he was officially quitting PKR and rejoining Umno.

Following in his footsteps were four other PKR leaders, namely Putrajaya PKR deputy chief Azmi Hassan, FT PKR information chief Ishak Hamzah, Putrajaya PKR committee member Daud Ahmad and 1999-2008 reformist movement leader Mohd Solleh Ibrahim.

"This decision is taken of our own free will without any pressure from any quarter. It was made after careful thought about our position in PKR and re-evaluating the party's struggle.

"What we have found is that PKR does not have a clear direction and the actions of its leaders are more for personal gain," said Norasidi after submitting his membership application form to join Umno to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Umno deputy president and Federal Territories (FT) Umno liaison chief, at the FT Umno office, here.

At the function, Norasidi also handed over 100 more membership application forms to join Umno from members of the Bandar Tun Razak PKR division.

Norasidi said PKR leaders had also failed to champion the people's interest after the 2008 general election and to make matters worse, started to quarrel among themselves like what has happened in Sabah, Pahang and Penang.

"Lately, we are also hearing calls from PKR leaders like the Selangor Menteri Besar (Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim) and Information Chief (Latheefa Koya) asking PKR members who did not agree with the party's leadership, to leave," he said.

Norasidi said that he took the decision to rejoin Umno because of Umno's proven track record.

He added that he believed Umno would regain the confidence of the people and administer the country in the best interest of the people.