Former senator Ezam Mohd Nor is reported to have applied to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

He confirmed with pro-Barisan Nasional portal BNBBC.my that he has submitted his membership form to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Yes, I submitted the form to Muhyiddin yesterday,” the BN portal quotes Ezam as saying.

A day before this, Ezam said, he met with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was convinced by the vocal statesman that the fight against corruption was more effective through a political platform.

Ezam pointed out how he had left Umno to focus on the fight against corruption through an NGO, but the impact thus far has been minimal.

“Ever since I left Umno, many urged me to join a political party. I had initially planned to focus my work in the fight against corruption through Hisbah Centre, an NGO,” he added.

It is believed that the Bersatu leadership will hold a meeting today to discuss Ezam’s application and will decide whether to accept his application or otherwise.

A source had claimed that the party was undecided over Ezam joining Bersatu due to dissatisfaction among several leaders in the party as Ezam was a vocal critic of Mahathir during the Reformasi era.

Ezam was described as a “parasite” and that his entry would not benefit the Umno splinter party.

“We know how he has jumped here and there. If he joins Bersatu, it’s not necessary that the leadership and the grassroots will be able to accept him,” said the source.

Ezam, once regarded as PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's right-hand man, returned to Umno in 2008, after a fallout with PKR.

Earlier this month, he announced his decision to quit Umno over the party's apparent lack of commitment to tackle corruption.

Ezam said he returned to Umno during the time of then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, because Abdullah was committed to combating corruption.