‘Good numbers’ ready to defect to PKR, says Azmin
The Edge Daily (16/5/08): Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice president Azmin Ali (Gombak-PKR) insisted that good numbers of MPs on both sides of the South China Sea would be defecting to the party.
“We have good numbers. Credible numbers. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said many times that we need a strong and credible government. If we only have 30 then there is a lot of risk because it would be a fragile government.
“We do not want to form a fragile government. We want to form a strong government and want the transition to be smooth. That is also an important element that we have to consider,” he said in Parliament lobby yesterday.
When told that the Sabah MPs had said they were not going to cross over, Azmin said: “Wait and see.”
He said Anwar and PKR were approached by the MPs first instead of the other way round. He also challenged Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan to prove the allegations of attempts to buy him over by PKR.
On Wednesday, Abdul Rahman said that “friends”, who had good connections in both Umno and PKR had approached him and asked if he wanted to create history by bringing down the Barisan Nasional government.
Azmin said the MPs knew they need a strong leadership. “We have a leadership issue in the country, which is weak leadership. Do not underestimate the MPs’ wisdom.
“They need a strong person who can call the shots and offer good development package,” he said, adding his party did not offer any monetary enticement but development packages for the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the MPs’ anger was real, as they had to go back and face their constituents.
Asked on the date that Pakatan Rakyat would be forming the federal government, Azmin said Anwar had mentioned September 16. “It would be formed latest by September 16.”
On Information Minister Datuk Shaberry Cheek labelling of leaders who pleaded for crossovers as ‘political prostitutes’, Azmin said: “Who was Shaberry Cheek before this? From PAS to Semangat 46 and then to Umno. He is the political prostitute if he wants to use the term. I didn’t use it. Tell him to remember the history.”
On the 20% oil royalty that PKR is offering, he said rational people would accept that as compared to the 5% offered by BN.
As for the complications in adjusting the oil royalty agreement between Petronas and the government, Azmin said: “They cancelled the one between Petronas and Terengganu. Umno converted the oil royalty into Wang Ehsan. How do you explain that?”
He also reiterated they would reduce the petrol and gas prices upon forming the federal government. They would return the royalty to Terengganu while abolishing the Federal Development Department (JPP) in Kelantan and Sabah, he added.
Azmin also told reporters that the shadow Cabinet would be announced in due time.
Asked if Anwar would contest in a by-election he said there were several options available for Anwar, including a senatorship and by-election.
Meanwhile, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili yesterday denied that some BN MPs had switched parties. According to a Bernama report, Ongkili said the matter was an old story and the speculation had been spreading since the 12th general election concluded.
“The rumour from the opposition is actually to undermine the existing political stability. I feel it is also to undermine the mental stability of politicians from Sabah and Sarawak,” he told reporters after officiating at Mimos Bhd’s portal eBioChem at Seri Kembangan near here.
“We have good numbers. Credible numbers. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said many times that we need a strong and credible government. If we only have 30 then there is a lot of risk because it would be a fragile government.
“We do not want to form a fragile government. We want to form a strong government and want the transition to be smooth. That is also an important element that we have to consider,” he said in Parliament lobby yesterday.
When told that the Sabah MPs had said they were not going to cross over, Azmin said: “Wait and see.”
He said Anwar and PKR were approached by the MPs first instead of the other way round. He also challenged Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan to prove the allegations of attempts to buy him over by PKR.
On Wednesday, Abdul Rahman said that “friends”, who had good connections in both Umno and PKR had approached him and asked if he wanted to create history by bringing down the Barisan Nasional government.
Azmin said the MPs knew they need a strong leadership. “We have a leadership issue in the country, which is weak leadership. Do not underestimate the MPs’ wisdom.
“They need a strong person who can call the shots and offer good development package,” he said, adding his party did not offer any monetary enticement but development packages for the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the MPs’ anger was real, as they had to go back and face their constituents.
Asked on the date that Pakatan Rakyat would be forming the federal government, Azmin said Anwar had mentioned September 16. “It would be formed latest by September 16.”
On Information Minister Datuk Shaberry Cheek labelling of leaders who pleaded for crossovers as ‘political prostitutes’, Azmin said: “Who was Shaberry Cheek before this? From PAS to Semangat 46 and then to Umno. He is the political prostitute if he wants to use the term. I didn’t use it. Tell him to remember the history.”
On the 20% oil royalty that PKR is offering, he said rational people would accept that as compared to the 5% offered by BN.
As for the complications in adjusting the oil royalty agreement between Petronas and the government, Azmin said: “They cancelled the one between Petronas and Terengganu. Umno converted the oil royalty into Wang Ehsan. How do you explain that?”
He also reiterated they would reduce the petrol and gas prices upon forming the federal government. They would return the royalty to Terengganu while abolishing the Federal Development Department (JPP) in Kelantan and Sabah, he added.
Azmin also told reporters that the shadow Cabinet would be announced in due time.
Asked if Anwar would contest in a by-election he said there were several options available for Anwar, including a senatorship and by-election.
Meanwhile, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili yesterday denied that some BN MPs had switched parties. According to a Bernama report, Ongkili said the matter was an old story and the speculation had been spreading since the 12th general election concluded.
“The rumour from the opposition is actually to undermine the existing political stability. I feel it is also to undermine the mental stability of politicians from Sabah and Sarawak,” he told reporters after officiating at Mimos Bhd’s portal eBioChem at Seri Kembangan near here.
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