KUALA LUMPUR – Following the departure of two Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs yesterday, the opposition coalition is being threatened by another slew of defections.
The Vibes understands that up to 10 MPs are being poached by the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN), using the carrot-and-stick approach.
It is learnt that two Borneo MPs from DAP, four from Warisan, and a handful from PKR are being lured or threatened to jump ship.
Sources said PN is also taking advantage of dissatisfaction that has been brewing among members of PH component parties.
Negotiations are ongoing and fluid, but the sources said there is no definite talk of GLC positions or rewards. MPs with issues with the Inland Revenue Board are being approached, however.
For those in East Malaysia, a factor for their defections is ensuring their constituencies are allocated full resources as government MPs.
Yesterday, Larry Sng and Steven Choong – PKR’s Julau and Tebrau MPs respectively – declared themselves government-friendly independents.
While this may give Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin 111 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, Umno’s 38 seats may shift as the party and Bersatu are currently at loggerheads over positions and policies.
With regards to PKR, there is disappointment and fatigue over attempts to take over Putrajaya; Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s denied chance to succeed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is especially among push factors for potential defectors.
Anwar being unable to or denied the opportunity to prove his numbers in Parliament is also seen as a factor for the political fatigue that saw a number of PKR members losing patience.
Another factor is unhappiness toward the alleged fractious nature of the party, especially those close to the leadership, including the reemergence of Rafizi Ramli.
“He is also most likely to be offered the Pandan seat for the coming general election,” a source said.
Meanwhile, Klang MP Charles Santiago said when contacted that DAP was still solid.
“I don’t know about other parties, but not DAP, I doubt it. Generally, the season (of party-hopping) is already over.”
One way ticket to political hell
PKR information chief and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, however, said the luring of PH politicians is happening against the backdrop of Parliament reconvening.
“This is happening at a time when Umno is threatening to withdraw support from PN. It would not have happened if Parliament was still suspended, but after the palace’s statement that Parliament can reconvene, it is evident that PN is becoming frantic.
Fahmi cautioned that anyone who jumps at this point will have a short-lived political career and may not enjoy the fruits of their treachery for long, because once Covid-19 is under control, Parliament will be dissolved and whatever that they have been promised may not be fulfilled.
He said following the 2008 elections, those who jumped following promises of wealth and positions found themselves in the lurch.
“You are buying a one-way ticket to political hell. This is where voters will see who will stand firm in their convictions.” – The Vibes, March 1, 2021
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