Perak defection rumours continue to swirl
Two Perak state executive councillors accused of graft last year are under the spotlight again, this time ostensibly for planning to quit as PKR members and become independent members of the state assembly.
Two Perak state executive councillors accused of graft last year are under the spotlight again, this time ostensibly for planning to quit as PKR members and become independent members of the state assembly.
Chinese daily China Press today named Behrang assemblyperson Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Changkat Jering assemblyperson Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu as the possible 'defectors'.
As of time of writing, neither assemblyperson had denied the news report.
A meeting of top state Pakatan Rakyat leaders at Menteri Besar Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin's official residence this morning has fueled speculations further.
Though party leaders have described it as a routine monthly meeting between the parties, the timing of the meeting which coincided with the press report has raised eyebrows.
Later in the afternoon, Mohamad Nizar held a press conference at the state secretariat building and brushed off the report as mere rumours.
Mohamad Nizar also denied that the state government had 'lost contact' with the duo, adding that they took advantage of the festival break for a holiday.
Anwar to intervene?
Another factor which has caused intensified speculations regarding Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman is the scheduled visit by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim later today.
PKR vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye when contacted said Anwar's main purpose in Perak was to attend a function to welcome Bota assemblyperson Nasarudin Hashim into the party.
The event would take place at a stadium in Bota Kanan. Nasarudin, who defected from Umno to PKR on Sunday, is expected to address the crowd followed by a speech by Anwar.
To a question, Lee, who is also Perak PKR deputy chief, said there was no plans for a meeting between Anwar and the two assemblypersons.
However, should Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman appear at the function tonight alongside Anwar, all rumours of their 'defection' would be brushed aside.
Following Nasarudin's move to PKR, both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional had boasted that there were impending defections to their camps.
Pakatan now holds 32 seats in the state assembly, as opposed to Barisan's 27. Even if Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman were to join Barisan, Pakatan will still hold a one-seat majority.
