MIRI – “I will not betray PKR,” said Miri MP Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng, after he was named by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday as one of the five MPs offered enticement to defect.
Dr Teo, who is also vice-president of Sabah and Sarawak PKR, told The Vibes that he would not jump ship, and confirmed there were efforts to lure him into doing so.
“I pledge my loyalty to PKR and party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Too many have betrayed PKR already. I will not do so,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Teo, who said he feels Anwar is still the best person to lead PKR and Malaysia, expressed hope that the party will prevail and win big in both the Sarawak and general elections.
He hoped to see Pakatan Harapan lead the state and regain federal power with Anwar as prime minister.
On Tuesday, Anwar said that five PKR lawmakers had been threatened or enticed with rewards to defect from the party and join the Perikatan Nasional government.
They were Natrah Ismail (Sekijang), S. Kesavan (Sg Siput), Awang Husaini Sahari (Putatan), M. Karuppaiya (Padang Serai) and Dr Teo.
This came on the heels of recent allegations of political persecution against opposition MPs.
Last Saturday, Kuala Langat MP Datuk Xavier Jayakumar announced his resignation as PKR vice-president and member, opting to support the Perikatan Nasional government as an independent.
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. – The Vibes, March 18, 2021
