DESPITE suffering three defections in the last two months, PKR vice president Tian Chua said that the party members’ morale is still strong and all geared up for snap polls.
“We’ve been through a lot of issues since our inception. This is normal and we know what’s really happening.
“All I can see is the election is around the corner. Like or not, we all have to face the ground sooner or later,” he told FocusM.
Yesterday, fellow PKR vice president Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar announced that he was quitting PKR, claiming he was frustrated with the recent turn of events.
“I have been with PKR since 1998. However, following the events which have unfolded in the past year, I have grown extremely frustrated.
“I will continue to serve my constituency and support the Government as an independent MP, and I’m confident that I can fulfill my election promises to the people of Kuala Langat,” he was reported saying.
Following the news, Senior Minister (International Trade and Industries) Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali tweeted a cryptic message, saying “1+1+1+…and counting. Remain calm.”
PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution later claimed that Jayakumar was threatened to support the Government or risk facing consequences.
“Jayakumar recently told party leadership that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was targetting him, following the arrest of his former political secretary and several of his aides in regards to a case.
“Subsequently, he was told by a ‘senior minister’ to support Perikatan Nasional (Perikatan) or risk facing dire consequences,” Saifuddin was reported saying.
Snap polls around the corner
Touching on the matter, Tian Chua said that the recent cases of defection shows that the general election is around the corner and everyone should be prepared for it.
On how such cases affect voters, the former Batu MP said the former would not tolerate such behaviour from their elected representatives.
“I believe voters have already decided on their candidates and the defections will not change the decisions that much,” he opined.
The PKR leader added that the 2018 general election have changed the Malaysian political landscape, where open democratic competition among political parties is now prevalent.
“Days of a political party holding monopoly over voters are gone. So, all these moves by our Perikatan leaders will only disenfranchise the electorate and our political climate,” he added.
Tian Chua added: “In a nutshell, it doesn’t matter which side you want to be with. What matters is we have to be ethical and accountable to the public.
“If you’re unethical, the voters will punish you.” – March 14, 2021.
