Independent MPs form ‘Konsensus Bebas’
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid, Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim announced today the creation of “Konsensus Bebas”, an official platform for independent MPs to present issues in Parliament.
Joining Zahrain are four other independent MPs. All are former PKR leaders who quit the party recently, citing loss of confidence in the party’s top leadership.
The four are Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju), Zulkifli Noordin (Kulim Bandar Baru), Tan Tee Beng (Nibong Tebal) and Fadzli Samsuri (Bagan Serai).
“Konsensus Bebas will be an effective, independent and non-partisan parliamentary bloc. It will voice views and take political actions independently. [Our actions] will transcend partisan politics,” Zahrain said in Parliament here.
Political parties a failure
The former Penang PKR chief, whose recent expose of PKR’s inner workings in Parliament had rattled the party, said political parties have failed the voters.
“Currently, political parties are seen placing the party agenda as their primary interest and the leaders are inclined to grab power,” said Zahrain.
The Penang-based leader had alleged that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had tried to lure Barisan Nasional MPs to defect to Pakatan Rakyat in what has been dubbed the “Sept 16 coup”.
He claimed Anwar had “used” the King’s name and told BN lawmakers that the military was behind the move in a bid to trigger their defections.
Zahrain also named the BN lawmakers who were supposedly prepared to defect. All the BN MPs denied his allegation. The “Sept 16 coup” did not take place.
Zahrain said Anwar’s “lies” were one of the reasons he became disillusioned with PKR.
He said his group, which will be launching a website soon, will strive to restore hope for reformation.
“Konsensus Bebas will act without any political self-interest but solely for the interests of the rakyat and the nation,” he said.
