Anwar dismisses defection threat
Written by Adib Zalkapli, The Malaysian Insider
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed the idea that his PKR has been weakened by a spate of defections, saying the malcontents left because they misused funds.
The opposition leader instead said last night the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition has been strengthened by the success in the Sibu Parliamentary by-election. DAP won the seat last Sunday, three weeks after PKR lost the Hulu Selangor by-election.
“Those who left are meant to be with Umno. They left because they knew we cannot tolerate their attempt misuse public funds,” said Anwar during a gathering at small fishing village near here.
He cited the case of former Kedah executive councillor, Mohammad Radzhi Salleh, who left PKR last year, claiming that the Lunas assemblyman had cheated in his claims.
Anwar charged that Radzhi left PKR before the party could act against him after the PAS-led government complained to the party.
“Before we could act, he jumped to join Umno. This kind of people don’t belong in Pakatan, they deserve to be with Umno,” said Anwar in his 20 minute speech.
Since Election 2008, five PKR MPs and an equal number of state lawmakers have turned independent.
