Muhyiddin: Do what is needed to end defections

(NST) BARISAN Nasional deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants component party leaders to learn and take steps to stop the migration of "certain leaders" to Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

 

"I want to take a different approach on this. I am not saying there will be other defections but we all should learn from this, whether this can be regarded as normal or unhealthy.

"We should be able to assess whether this could be impactful (on the ruling coalition and component parties) in the medium- and long-term," said Muhyiddin, who is deputy prime minister.

Former MIC vice-president Datuk S.S. Subramaniam, who joined PKR on Saturday, said he would take about 2,500 party members with him.

He said he had been supporting PKR policies for a long time and that the BN was going backwards.

His crossover came about a week after former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng switched to PKR.

Muhyiddin said he had heard that other MIC members were leaving. "The MIC leadership should take note of this.

"We have the resources to reinforce our position as the majority of BN leaders are still faithful and they want moves to be made by the component parties to stop this.

"Prime Minister (and BN chairman) Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said that it was time to pool (our) resources and the MIC is seen as trying to do something to this effect.

"Most importantly, the end result must be that the BN is seen to be cohesive and united. All component parties should know their priorities and what ought to be done, like if there is a need for a revamp, in some cases."

He said steps had to be taken to resolve internal conflicts and to work together towards common goals.

"This is what the rakyat is looking for. We have no choice but to move with this view of change.

"Najib had said this before and we need to respond to his call. The sooner we do so, the better."

Muhyiddin said he had not met Subramaniam for some time. "It is his decision to join PKR. But both the BN leadership and MIC should learn from this. We should not be saying it is OK for this to happen."

Besides Subramaniam and Chua, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also succeeded in attracting former minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, in his attempts to strengthen his party's position as the lynchpin of the Pakatan Rakyat alliance.