KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — While rumours of more defections continue to circulate, Pakatan Rakyat leaders admit there was little they could do to prevent crossovers.
However the severe backlash against the Perak quartet, who have not been seen in public since meeting the state ruler to confirm their political leanings last week, may deter further defections.
DAP Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said today any Pakatan Rakyat elected representative who dare crossover now, risk the same backlash.
He said even those with one foot out the door or really considering defecting will have to think again.
“It will be political suicide, especially for DAP MPs or assemblymen,” Pua said citing the example of Jelapang assemblyman Hee Yit Foong, who has faced the brunt of public criticisms especially from the Chinese press and community.
The DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) said the party has no plans to take measures to prevent more defections from their ranks because the public backlash is an effective deterrent.
PKR information chief Chua Tian Chang said rumours of more defections from Perak and Penang are just psychological warfare tactics being used by the Barisan Nasional to weaken Pakatan Rakyat.
He said he doubted there will be more crossovers because of what happened to those who have defected in Perak.
He said while Hee may face the brunt of criticisms in the Chinese press, the other three — Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang), Osman Jailu (Changkat Jering) and Datuk Nasharudin Hashim (Bota), who has the distinction of crossing over twice, have not escaped the public backlash in cyberspace.
“Jamaluddin and Osman rather face getting arrested then showing up in public for their corruption tria in Ipoh yesterday,” said the Batu MP.
However Chua also said there was nothing the party could do to deter defections “as long as Umno keep offering money for crossovers”.
He said the ruling coalition has been trying to destabilise the five Pakatan Rakyat states since the March 2008 general elections and they expect it to continue.
Meanwhile Pas may resort to prayers and pressure to enforce party discipline and deter defections.
Pas secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar said their elected representatives may need to meet more often and pray together to withstand the temptations and overcome the underhanded tactics being used by Barisan Nasional to induce crossovers.
He said meeting and praying was the way Pas managed to govern Kelantan with a one seat majority during the last term.
“Our people are also human and they are being tempted with a lot of money,” he alleged.
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