Bayan Baru Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohd Hashim, who left Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in 2010 and became an independent MP, today applied to rejoin Umno.

He handed his application letter to Datuk Seri Najib Razak at a lunch the prime minister had with the people in the compound of the Bayan Baru Umno Division office here.

The application letters of 347 PKR members and former members from Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor and Jelutong were also handed to Najib.

Speaking to reporters after the lunch, Zahrain, who was once Penang PKR chairman, said he decided to return to Umno because it was the only party that could champion the Malays, particularly in Penang, and look after the non-Malays as well.

"I was duped into believing the opposition's struggle. PKR and PAS claim that they champion the Malays but they only capitalise on the interests of the Malays. They are good at making promises," he said.

Zahrain claimed that more opposition party members in Bayan Baru and other parliamentary constituencies in Penang would be joining Umno, and this would give the state BN an edge over the opposition in the 13th general election.

Asked whether he would support the BN if he was not chosen as a candidate in 13th general election, he said he and his supporters would back anyone nominated by the BN in Bayan Baru and would ensure a BN victory.

Meanwhile, former Penang PKR Wanita chief Aminah Abdullah, who also submitted her application to join Umno, said she left the PKR in 2007 and decided to rejoin Umno for she was confident that only the BN could assist all communities in the country.

About 1,000 people from Bayan Baru attended the lunch. Also present were the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and Penang BN leaders.