The big announcement that PKR strategist Saifuddin Nasution has promised Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will announce on Saturday probably concerns the defection of the “entire Kedah PPP” to PKR.
The defection, if it takes place, could have a significant impact on the outcome of the closely fought Bukit Selambau by-election.
PPP sources said the defection is being organised and led by former Kedah PPP chairman and incumbent PPP vice-president Datuk V. Nadarajah who when contacted declined to comment.
He was a former MIC Kedah youth leader and was expelled by MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu for alleged "indiscipline" in the mid-1980s
Kedah PPP sources claim the defection involves some six divisions, 60 branches and about 6,000 members.
In Bukit Selambau itself there are 134 PPP branches and 11 are said to be crossing over to PKR on Saturday, the sources said.
“We are sick of the BN… enough is enough? That’s why we are leaving for PKR,” said one of the 11 branch leaders defecting to PKR.
Asked why they are defecting now and not earlier, he said: “Politically this is the best of times... the right time to cross over. We have some worth now. Who would want us after Tuesday?”
PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas when contacted by The Malaysian Insider today said he had heard of the defection “just now.”
“I am aware of it but I am not going to call up and stop them. Those who want to go can go, feel they are of no use in PPP, can leave. We don’t need this kind of members who constantly switch loyalties,” he said.
“Usually they would claim huge numbers were defecting when only a few are crossing over to give political impact to their claim. If this is the case I will sue anybody who does that,” Kayveas said.
Kayveas also said every PPP member has a membership card which must be returned with a resignation letter before that member is considered to have resigned.
“Until then we don’t consider a member has resigned. A mere announcement is not good enough for us,” he said adding disgruntled elements are always migrating here and there for better benefits.
Anwar’s ceramah and announcement is set to take place at Dewan Hock Seng, Sungai Lalang in Sungei Petani on Saturday night.
Former PPP wanita head L. Sarala is one of the 13 independents in the by-election where the main fight is between BN’s Datuk S. Ganesan and PKR newcomer S. Manikumar.
Bukit Selambau has 35,140 registered voters, comprising 50.2 per cent Malays, 29.5 per cent Indians and 19.3 per cent Chinese.
The by-election has created a record with 15 contestants, including 13 independent candidates.
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