Tamrin in hot water for sitting with PKR leaders
By Zainal Epi, Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: Tamrin Tun Abdul Ghafar is not a new face in politics and despite keeping a low profile, his presence on stage at two PKR ceramah during the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election last week “jolted” Umno.
He sat beside PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. He did not utter a word, but his mere presence in the opposition camp was good enough to cause panic in Umno circles. Some leaders even called for his expulsion from the party.
However, the former MP of Batu Berendam, Malacca, was unperturbed and relaxed when met at his office.
Smiling his usual self, he said: “I have not burnt the bridge like what some people did and then returned to the party. I am not an important person in the party.
“So, I don’t know what the fuss is all about,” he said.
Tamrin said his presence on the PKR stage was a coincidence as he wanted to listen to PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat deliver his talk. He admired the man when he was an Umno Youth exco member and MP but had never once heard him talk.
“When I was waiting at a PKR ceramah in Sungai Buaya, Anwar saw me and called me, shook my hands and invited me to the stage.
“He introduced me to the crowd as an old friend, which indeed we are.
“However, Nik Aziz did not turn up. The next day, I went to the Kuala Kubu Baru mini stadium where Nik Aziz was to speak.
“Again, I was invited to the stage by Guan Eng and I accepted. I do not understand why Umno is so upset to see me in the company of PKR leaders,” he said.
“After all, I am a nobody. I am just an ordinary Umno member. My stand has not changed although I am not happy with several government policies that do not benefit the Malays and the country,” he said.
