KUALA LUMPUR – Another opposition MP has alleged that there were offers made by certain parties to entice him to jump ship to support the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration.
In a press conference, today, Batu MP P. Prabakaran claimed that there were efforts made to persuade him to change his allegiance.
“Members of the press have asked me if there’s been anyone who has negotiated with me about ‘durians’. I was not party to any negotiations or proposals.
“However, many have (tried to) persuade me.
“They only (tried to) persuade me but did not offer me anything, so I rejected them. I said no because this is not just a personal matter, but one of national interest and for the sake of the rakyat,” the PKR lawmaker told the waiting press outside Dang Wangi police station, today.
Earlier today, Prabakaran was summoned to the police station to give his statement on last Monday’s march towards Parliament.
‘PN agents’ adopt new approach
Speaking to The Vibes, the PKR lawmaker said this is not the first time that alleged “PN agents” have contacted him.
However, he said those “agents” have adopted a new approach now by speaking to his friends and supporters and asking them to convey the message to him.
“I have been subjected to offers trying to persuade ever since last Wednesday when (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) announced that he still enjoys majority support from the Dewan Rakyat MPs.
“Those agents told my friends to ask me to jump to ensure the current PN government stays strong especially during the Covid-19 crisis,” he told The Vibes.
If inducements or ministerial positions were being offered to him, he stressed that he will not betray his constituents and switch sides.
“Even if they offer me a ministerial post or money, I will definitely not consider it. I don’t want to betray my voters.
“Getting a post, money or contract doesn’t make any sense to me because that is not what the people need. I don’t want to end my political career by joining PN,” he said.
Just finished giving statement at IPD Dang Wangi, #lawantetaplawan pic.twitter.com/fxThDWgC54
— P. Prabakaran (@YbPraba) August 9, 2021
Yesterday, Pakatan Harapan (PH) revealed that at least seven of its MPs have been offered positions and inducements in exchange for their support of the PN government.
In a statement, the PH presidential council said the MPs were Cha Kee Chin (Rasah), Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka), M. Kula Segaran (Ipoh Barat), Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Kulim Bandar Baharu), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa), Azman Ismail (Kuala Kedah), and Chan Ming Kai (Alor Setar).
Last Saturday, Kula Segaran said in a statement that one of his officers received a “random call followed by WhatsApp messages” from an unidentified party offering him money, a ministerial position and other incentives in exchange for him to support the PN-led 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
His secretary, Jeremy Chuah, has since lodged a police report on the matter.
Meanwhile, Khoo Poay Tiong and Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii also made similar allegations.
Dr Kelvin took to Twitter to share a screenshot of Whatsapp messages from an unknown number which pointed out that two ministerial positions were vacant following Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Datuk Noraini Ahmad’s departure from their respective positions as energy and natural resources minister and higher education minister.
Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik also shared how he was confronted by a mysterious caller with an unknown number aking for him to cross over to the ruling PN coalition, with a promise of a full ministerial post.
The Penang PKR chief added that the caller implied that it was a “durian” initiative.
Today, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it has met the three DAP MPs who alleged that they were offered inducements and positions in exchange for them supporting the PN government.
However, the anti-graft agency said it has yet to identify the owner of a mobile number allegedly used to entice three DAP lawmakers to jump ship in its initial investigations.
In a statement, MACC said it is taking the matter seriously and is investigating the allegations made by the opposition lawmakers. – The Vibes, August 9, 2021
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