Malaysiakini | Jan 15, 09
After a three-month lull, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has again raised the possibility of Barisan Nasional MPs defecting to the fledgling Pakatan Rakyat coalition.
The opposition leader has avoided the topic since failing to topple the BN federal government by Sept 16 last year.
However, he hinted at a ceramah in Pasir Panjang near Kuala Terengganu last night that eight BN MPs might join Pakatan.
“As you know we want to increase our numbers. But as the Kelantanese say kohol-kohol, bit by bit, one by one,” he said.
Anwar said Pakatan Rakyat now has two defectors in Sabah, six more in Sarawak and another two from unidentified states are on the way.
“With one more from Kuala Terengganu, we would have 93 and then there would be change,” he said, prompting cheers from the crowd of about 600.
Coy on the details
Anwar is currently campaigning for PAS candidate Abdul Wahid Endut who is contesting against BN’s Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh in the Jan 17 Kuala Terengganu by-election.
Speaking to reporters after another ceramah in Kg Kubang Ikan, Anwar was coy about the details of the ‘defection’.
Asked about the two mystery MPs, he said, “We will announce later.” On details of the six MPs from Sarawak, he replied, “You have to ask them.”
Anwar may be hinting at defections from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS). The party has six MPs and has been courting controversy during the last quarter of 2008.
In October, Hulu Rajang MP Billy Abit Jol became the sole government backbencher to sign an opposition initiated petition for Parliament to prioritise a debate on the Internal Security Act.
Billy is the vice-president of PPRS and a five-term MP for Hulu Rajang.
Following this, Balleh division PRS publicity chief Beginda Minda launched a scathing attack on Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, adding that the latter should step down after helming the state for 28 years.
Beginda Minda subsequently resigned from the party and joined PKR.
After a three-month lull, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has again raised the possibility of Barisan Nasional MPs defecting to the fledgling Pakatan Rakyat coalition.
The opposition leader has avoided the topic since failing to topple the BN federal government by Sept 16 last year.
However, he hinted at a ceramah in Pasir Panjang near Kuala Terengganu last night that eight BN MPs might join Pakatan.
“As you know we want to increase our numbers. But as the Kelantanese say kohol-kohol, bit by bit, one by one,” he said.
Anwar said Pakatan Rakyat now has two defectors in Sabah, six more in Sarawak and another two from unidentified states are on the way.
“With one more from Kuala Terengganu, we would have 93 and then there would be change,” he said, prompting cheers from the crowd of about 600.
Coy on the details
Anwar is currently campaigning for PAS candidate Abdul Wahid Endut who is contesting against BN’s Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh in the Jan 17 Kuala Terengganu by-election.
Speaking to reporters after another ceramah in Kg Kubang Ikan, Anwar was coy about the details of the ‘defection’.
Asked about the two mystery MPs, he said, “We will announce later.” On details of the six MPs from Sarawak, he replied, “You have to ask them.”
Anwar may be hinting at defections from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS). The party has six MPs and has been courting controversy during the last quarter of 2008.
In October, Hulu Rajang MP Billy Abit Jol became the sole government backbencher to sign an opposition initiated petition for Parliament to prioritise a debate on the Internal Security Act.
Billy is the vice-president of PPRS and a five-term MP for Hulu Rajang.
Following this, Balleh division PRS publicity chief Beginda Minda launched a scathing attack on Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, adding that the latter should step down after helming the state for 28 years.
Beginda Minda subsequently resigned from the party and joined PKR.
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