You are the ‘party hopping expert’, Anwar tells Muhyiddin

THE ONUS is on the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Members of Parliament to vacate their seats if they decide to switch political allegiance, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The prime minister said this following a challenge issued by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the seats to be vacated.

He said the Bersatu MPs affected have to make up their minds on the matter.

Muhyiddin had implied earlier today that Anwar should ask the Bersatu MPs to vacate their seats following their open declaration that they now support the government of the day and Anwar in Parliament.

“The head of a party that switched sides now wants to suggest this. It is up to the MPs, (and) it is not for me to say anything. Why ask me?” Anwar said while visiting the Seberang Prai central police headquarters in Bukit Mertajam.

Visiting his former home constituency of Permatang Pauh, Anwar, who is now the Tambun MP said: "Anyway, he (Muhyiddin) is the expert in (party) hopping (and being part of) the scheming. He should be addressing this (issue) himself.”

Anwar also claimed that people are losing confidence in Bersatu as a political party.

Muhyiddin called on Anwar and his government to declare the six parliamentary seats and one Selangor state legislative assembly seat as vacant after the seven Bersatu representatives declared support for the national unity government.

Bersatu is mulling legal action against the seven elected representatives.

On another matter, Anwar reiterated his fight against widespread corruption, citing that the Royal Malaysian Police must be free of all corrupt elements.

He said a small number of corrupt officers can ruin the image of the entire force and he would not tolerate this.

“We can’t be going after sergeants that are asking for RM50 bribes by the roadside, but let ministers take RM50 million scot-free. If there are any leaders involved, I will drop them from the Cabinet immediately. I want the IGP to save the force from corruption."

Anwar also visited the Seberang Jaya Hospital’s new wing, which is under construction. 

He said the project's construction phase is progressing well.

Anwar also said he has allocated RM1 million for repairs to the police quarters at Seberang Jaya, and RM500,000 for repairs to a surau at the district police headquarters.

Once the public hospital's expansion project is completed, it will be installed with an additional 315 beds, besides better amenities and intensive care unit facilities, as well as more parking lots.

Anwar took time earlier this morning to attend the wedding of Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari at the industrial blue-collar township of Sungai Petani.

Mohammed Taufiq, 28, is the sixth child of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

An upcoming leader in Kedah, the medical doctor was smitten with his wife Dr Fathiya Ainul Mardhiyah Andri Nopendra, 26, who hails from Indonesia met when they were both studying medicine in Indonesia. - The Vibes, March 9, 2024