IPOH, Fri: On top of the Sabah and Sarawak BN elected representatives he met, Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also held meetings with Peninsular BN representatives on the possibility of defecting to the opposition. But as things stand, PKR is not rushing into the situation.
"I had calls from the East Malaysian states and also Peninsular and even Perak...it is not our tradition to buyover it is the tradition of Umno and Barisan Nasional," he said.
"They must adhere to policies and struggle to see changes in the country if they intend to join us...and if the subject of buying over is raised...discussions would be cancelled."
He was speaking to reporters after making a courtesy call on Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin at his office here today. Also present were PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye. Anwar was asked on the development of the possibility of Sabah and Sarawak MPs to crossover to the opposition party.
"There are developments but we are not rushing into it .. we have time,” he said. “People in Sabah and Sarawak know that the majority of voters in the Peninsular had chosen the opposition party candidates, but if the ink had been used and there was transparency and justice in the postal votes...we would have been in power."
When asked on the reported crossover of a Sarawak MP to PKR, he said, "we will make an announcement on it later."
However, Sarawak United People's Party president Tan Sri Dr George Chan dismissed reports that Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot Jaem had resigned from the party and joined the opposition. Riot's wife Datin Micha Kayen Lingeng also denied that he husband had left the party.
Dr Chan who is a Sarawak Deputy minister was reported as saying that Riot was unhappy when he did not get a Federal Government post. The party nominated him for a parliamentary secretary post but such posts had been abolished in the new Abdullah Administration.
On his comeback through a parliamentary by-election, Anwar said: "I have been asked the question repeatedly…but we have been entrusted with a huge task of administering the five states as the rakyat had chosen us and it is time for us to respond in a positive manner."
"The issue had not cropped up...the first sitting of Parliament is on May 5. Our priority now is to see a resilient and vibrant economy which is a key factor to bring in the revenue for the opposition held states." Perak, Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Kelantan are ruled by opposition parties.
After winning the Permatang Pauh parliament seat for the third term in the March 8 polls, Wan Azizah was reported as saying that they will keep the seat for Anwar. Prior to polling day she had said that she would vacate the seat if she wins for Anwar to contest. There are also talks that PKR’s Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim will give up the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat for Anwar.
"Why are people asking about Permatang Pauh? Why not in Kuala Kangsar or Kepala Batas. Do not discount the possibility," he added. - NST
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