KUALA LUMPUR – A number of opposition MPs shared on social media that they have been approached by unknown individuals, allegedly linked to Perikatan Nasional (PN), to join the administration led by embattled Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran made allegations that he was offered a “minister’s position, money and additional incentives” to join the PN regime on his Twitter account today.
“The offer for me to switch to #PerikatanNasional was made today, to my officer. Money + ministerial position. We told them to take the offer and shove it. And yeah we made a police report,” he tweeted.
The DAP vice-chairman then said in a statement that his secretary, Jeremy Chuah received a random call followed by WhatsApp messages making the three offers while asking what else the opposition member would want in order to jump ship.
He then lambasted Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, calling him to take note of his failures in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, its subsequent economic downturn and the sufferings faced by everyday Malaysians instead of buying MPs and propping up a minority government.
“It doesn’t surprise me that PN is so desperate to keep power they are approaching MPs to bribe them but are they not ashamed about their absolute failure and mismanagement to lead the nation out of the Covid-19 pandemic?” he said.
He added that his officer had made it clear that Kula Segaran had no intention of backing Muhyiddin and his current government.
The offer for me to switch to #PerikatanNasional was made today to my officer.
— M. Kula Segaran (@mkula) August 7, 2021
Money + Ministerial position
We told them to take the offer and shove it.
And yeah we made a police report. pic.twitter.com/vlUbQqdRxo
He said when the Pakatan Harapan government fell due to the machinations of the Sheraton Move, none of DAP federal lawmakers had betrayed their voters and remained with their party.
Kula Segaran said that money and positions are not factors that can sway DAP members from leaving the party.
“Money and position are not factors which can sway us to leave the party. We will swim or die with the party. If need be, we are ready and willing to stay put in the opposition without any perks for so long as it needs to come back to government.
“I must stress that buying over MPs is also a betrayal towards the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who is very concerned about the state of the nation, government and the parliament. Don’t betray his trust.
“Your attempt to buy me over is pathetic and desperate,” he said.
Aside from Kula Segaran, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii shared the WhatsApp message on his Twitter account. Similarly, Malaysiakini reported that Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong had received similar messages.
The opposition lawmakers also shared a screenshot of the WhatsApp message of the conversation between the unnamed individual using the number +60 11-6989 4798 and his aide.
The messages had one thing in common, besides the term “RM30 durian”:
“YB. Durian RM30. Ganti durian Parit Sulong or Lenggong (replace the durians from Parit Sulong or Lenggong). Durian confirm hari ini terus bayar (If you confirm, you will be paid today). Cash,” said the WhatsApp messages.
The unknown individual was referring to Umno’s Parit Sulong MP Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad and Lenggong MP Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah – who resigned as higher education minister, and energy and natural resources minister respectively.
The two Umno lawmakers had withdrawn support for Muhyiddin, following instructions by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and its Supreme Council. – The Vibes, August 7, 2021
