KOTA BARU, May 12 — Datuk Ibrahim Ali has admitted he cannot stay as an independent MP for long as he would need to belong to a party to carry out his work efficiently.

He said he was carefully looking at certain parties to see which one was more in line with his stand and thinking, but he was in no hurry to make his choice.

"I am aware I cannot remain an independent MP. I need to belong to a party as people have started coming to see me for assistance.

"But I will take my time to decide, maybe in five or six months as I need to choose a party which can accept me as I am," he told reporters after meeting Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat at the latter's office here yesterday.

Ibrahim, who contested on a PAS ticket in the March 8 general election, is the only independent MP in the Dewan Rakyat.

Ibrahim, 58, was removed as Pasir Mas Umno division chief on Nov 22, 2003 and then had his party membership suspended for life for contesting in the 2004 general election as an independent candidate.

Asked about his good relations with PAS, he said he had not yet decided to join PAS although they both cooperated in the last general election.

"I am not tied down to any party, including PAS, as our cooperation in the last general election had benefited both sides," he added. — Bernama