Mixed reactions on PKR defections in Kedah govt

BN just short of 3 seats to take over

NAJIAH NAJIB, The Malay Mail

The recent claim by Kulim Bandar Baru independent garnered mixed reactions from several leaders and lawmakers contacted by The Malay Mail.

Claiming two Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) MPs and one State assemblyman would soon defect from the party, thus creating the possibility of that State government to collapse like what happened to the Pakatan-led government in Perak last year, speculation has been rife it could be Kedah, seeing that it would only take three more seats for Barisan Nasional (BN) to regain control of the State.

Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang

If it really is Kedah, then I wouldn’t say it’s crumbling but that it has crumbled. It’s only a matter of time before it is official.

It is almost impossible for PR to work together. They all have different ideologies. I always say Kedah is a Pas-led State and not PR-led. This is because DAP only has one representative in Kedah and he’s not even an exco member. That man has no say in anything.

The problem with Kedah is that it is ‘ruled’ by Pas. While it is okay to be Islamic, you cannot force your religious policies onto non-Muslims. Which is why Pas and DAP cannot compromise.

Zulkifli Noordin was merely stating the obvious. All he’s saying is the PR coalition cannot work together.

Selangor Opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo

Zul Noordin has a point. It could be Kedah. Maybe PR lawmakers are not happy with how Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak) is managing the State. Some of them may decide to leave the party to become BN-friendly independents.

But a State can only hold fresh elections if the Sultan grants it. Considering the time, cost and social after effects of fresh elections, the Sultan may decide to appoint a new government without elections.

Whichever State it is, the best thing for it to do right now is gather its State legislative members to pledge their support.

Pas vice-president Salahuddin Ayub

Zul Noordin’s statement is what we call komen tepi jalan (street comment), something that is cheap in nature. We choose not to be worried by such comments.

Those who want to jump, jump lah. It’s good for us to let go of these viruses which have been plaguing the party.

For me, I merely see this as a challenge for the party, which is a natural process. We are gentlemen. If this is the reality, then we face it.

We are not angels, we are merely humans. We face these challenges with patience and for the betterment of Malaysians. We will swim and sink together.

PKR Selayang MP William Leong Jee Keen

This statement came from a person who is now working so hard to destroy the very party which put him in Parliament.

If there are no offers being made, then there wouldn’t be people jumping parties. Is this the kind of democracy this country wants? Filled with party defectors? BN regained Perak this way, but they did not win over the people.

To those responsible for spreading such speculation, please remember that in less than five years, you have to face the rakyat again (during elections). And people will remember what you’ve done.

I don’t think PR or PKR should worry. At one point, we only had one parliamentary seat, Wan Azizah’s (PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail). I believe if you have the right principles, your party will be strong.”