KUALA LUMPUR – In another blow to Pakatan Harapan and its component PKR, Kuala Langat MP Datuk Xavier Jayakumar has announced his resignation as party vice-president and member, opting to support the Perikatan Nasional government as an independent.
“Throughout my career as a politician, I have been with PKR since 1998,” he said in a brief statement today.
“However, following the events that have unfolded in this past year, I have grown extremely frustrated.”
The former water, land and natural resources minister questioned whether calls for an early general election are necessary or viable at this juncture.
“The priority should be to support the government in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, to create jobs, and to secure funds to rebuild the economy.
“It will take at least 18 months just to complete the vaccination programme, and more than two years for the economy to fully recover.”
Endorsing the PN administration, he said the government’s efforts need bipartisan support to ensure they are realised.
“The people want stability, and to restart our ailing economic sectors.
“Towards this, we need to work together, not against one another.”
Pemimpin datang dan pergi. Akan tetapi yang kekal ialah Prinsip Perjuangan yang kita junjung.
— Fuziah Salleh (@FuziahSallehMP) March 13, 2021
Perjuangan menegakkan Islah dan Reform penuh ranjau dan duri! Doakan kami bertahan segala bentuk intimidasi dan salah guna kuasa. Lawan Tetap Lawan pic.twitter.com/rdpw1tiQpy
Announcing his resignation with immediate effect, Xavier said he will continue to serve his constituency and support the government as an independent MP.
“I am confident that I will fulfil my election promises to the people of Kuala Langat.”
His departure from PKR makes him the third MP to cross over in recent weeks, with Julau’s Larry Sng and Steven Choong (Tebrau) also exiting the party to support Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
In a letter dated yesterday that was shared by PKR’s Kuantan MP, Fuziah Salleh, on Twitter, Xavier informed Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun of his switch in allegiance.
He said he is now an independent MP in support of Muhyiddin.
The PH presidential council in a statement last week slammed PN’s tactic of using enforcement agencies to intimidate opposition lawmakers into defecting. – The Vibes, March 13, 2021
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