KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional election director Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has hinted at more defections in the ruling coalition’s favour, following Datuk Xavier Jayakumar’s exit from PKR today.
Less than an hour after Xavier’s announcement, Azmin tweeted: “1+1+1+... dan seterusnya. Alhamdulillah. Kekal tenang.”
It is seen as a reference to the three PKR lawmakers who have left the party to become government-friendly independents.
Prior to Xavier’s departure, Julau’s Larry Sng and Steven Choong of Tebrau quit the party last month.
Sng and Choong also signed statutory declarations pledging support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PN.
Former PKR deputy president Azmin himself defected with a group of supporters during last year’s Sheraton Move, triggering the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration in late February.
Today, Xavier said he is quitting as PKR vice-president and member, opting to support the PN government as an independent.
“Throughout my career as a politician, I have been with PKR since 1998,” he said in a brief statement.
“However, following the events that have unfolded in this past year, I have grown extremely frustrated.”
He 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.” – The Vibes, March 13, 2021
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