Three Umno state reps to cross over, says Perak PKR

It looks like a tit-for-tat political scenario of crossovers in Perak as the  state PKR now claims three Umno assemblypersons are ready to jump ship to its party allegedly over unhappiness with Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir.

In 2009, the ten-month old Pakatan Rakyat-led government collapsed when three of its assemblypersons became BN-friendly independents.

The three were PKR members Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu and DAP’s Hee Yit Foong.

PKR state information chief Zulkifly Ibrahim  (left) told a media conference at state party headquarters in Ipoh today that negotiations are going on between the three Umno assemblypersons and PKR’s top leadership.

He declined to name the alleged three Umno defectors, but said the party leadership will be making an official statement on this matter soon and release the names of the three.

Zulkifly threw another bombshell when he claimed that 12 state Umno division chiefs are also unhappy with  the recent  political scenario of the state and are planning to cross to PKR soon.

According to Zulkifly, state Umno members are unhappy with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s move to legalise football gambling by giving a sports betting licence to tycoon Vincent Tan’s Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd.

Furthermore, he claimed, there is  disillusion among state Umno members it is alleged that more priority is given to state PKR members who cross over rather than Umno members themselves.    

No details were given as to the terms and conditions of the purported crossover plans. Other PKR state leaders but they could not be reached for further comment on the matter.

'Do you believe them?'

Zambry ( right ), meanwhile, has denied the allegations by Zulkifly of any impending crossovers to PKR.

“Do you believe them? Remember they spread all kind of lies, including accusing me as one detained at the airport during my visit to USA recently, which they later retracted and apologised.

“What they aided  was to tarnish and cast doubt so that our solidarity could be shaken. Now they know how PKR is having serious exodus of its members leaving the party and losing out credible leaders to lead them in Perak.

“So the best way to divert attention is create an atmosphere of unrest among their enemies particularly among Umno and BN members to avoid their members focusing on their internal problems.”

“We will not be swayed by their shallow and cheap strategy,” Zambry said in a mobile text message to reporters.