Chegu Bard may be jumping from PKR to DAP
By Sarban Singh, The Star
SEREMBAN: Outspoken Badrul Hisham Shaharin (pic), better known as Chegu Bard, is said to be planning to quit PKR and party leaders say they are not surprised if the speculation turns out to be true.
Negri Sembilan PKR leaders said Badrul Hisham, who is the Rembau division chief, had become too arrogant and no longer respected other state leaders.
“He has drifted quite a distance away. He has not shown any respect to party leaders in the state,” said one party official.
The official, who declined to be named, said Badrul Hisham had lately failed to attend many state PKR meetings.
“The last meeting he attended was two months ago just before the Merlimau by-election.
“In fact, he had initially refused to attend the meeting until (PKR adviser) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called him personally,” he said, adding that Badrul Hisham also failed to attend a meeting of division leaders last week.
Badrul Hisham is said to be planning to leave PKR for DAP.
He was reported to be unhappy with PKR as his complaints over irregularities in last year’s party election had never been resolved.
He was offered the post of deputy secretary-general following his defeat, but he declined.
However, another state PKR leader claimed that Badrul Hisham’s unhappiness in PKR stemmed from his inability to work with state chief Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas, who is also Teluk Kemang MP.
“It is an open secret that they can’t get along.
“In fact, Chegu Bard cannot be faulted for not attending state meetings as they are often called at the very last minute,” he said, adding that certain division leaders in the state had also been sidelined after the state party polls.
Kamarul, when contacted, denied having problems with Badrul Hisham.
“I have nothing against him, but I must admit that I would not be surprised (if he leaves the party),” he said.
State DAP chairman Anthony Loke said it was premature to comment on talk that Badrul Hisham might join the party.
“There is no application from him yet. We shall comment when and if, he makes an announcement,” he added.
Badrul Hisham contested in the 2004 general election for the Rantau state seat against Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan but was soundly beaten.
In the 2008 polls, he contested against Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and was again defeated.
