The two PKR politicians at the centre of a political storm today denied that they have stepped down as being state representatives as claimed by Perak state assembly speaker yesterday.

jamaluddin mat radzi and osman jailu perak pkr Both Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Osman Jailu issued statements through their representatives at separate press conferences to insist that they remain the elected representatives for Behrang and Changkat Jering respectively.

Jamaluddin's press conference was the first, held at Pan Pacific Hotel at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 3.30pm.

He was expected to be present to clarify his status as a state representative. However, he sent two representatives to deliver his two-page statement.

"I am still the state assemblyperson and have no plans of giving up the seat after being elected by the rakyat ," he said in the statement.

About 30 minutes later, Osman also missed his press conference at the Concorde Hotel in Shah Alam. His statement was read out by his representative.

Yesterday Perak speaker V Sivakumar announced that he had received resignation letters from the two.

The speaker then declared their seats vacant and informed the Election Commission today of the need to call for by-elections.

Jamaluddin and Osman have been missing since last Monday, prompting speculation that they will join Barisan Nasional imminently.

They have also denied sending in resignation letters to the speaker.

It is believed that the resignation letters are undated letters signed by all PKR assemblypersons after the last general election and was sent to the assembly speaker by PKR officials.

Jamaluddin was in Pahang today

Jamaluddin was to have faced the media for the first time since the controversy erupted to clarify the matter.

jamaluddin press conference 020209 firdaus saharuddin However he was represented by his special officer Firdaus Saharuddin ( photo ) and another unidentified person.

"We are sorry to inform you that YB Jamaluddin cannot attend today's press conference due to illness (backache). It is not that he has disappeared or been 'taken away'," Firdaus told reporters.

When asked the whereabouts of Jamaluddin, Firdaus said the Behrang assemblyperson was in Pahang this morning and was on his way to Kuala Lumpur.

Firdaus however denied Jamaluddin had met with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in Pahang.

In the statement, Jamaluddin also denied that he had gone missing.

"I wish to stress that I was on leave from Jan 28-30 as I was unwell. Jan 31 to Feb 1 was a weekend and I used this period to rest," he said in the statement.

He said he was shocked to read newspaper reports that he had submitted his resignation letter.

"I was not in Perak yesterday and I could not have sent my resignation letter to the speaker. The speaker's announcement was a big shock, not just for me but for everyone else in the country," he added.

He said he would continue with his duties and that the question of him defecting from PKR does not arise.

"I hope this explanation will clear the air. I also hope Pakatan Rakyat leaders will stop making false statements for their own political gains," he added.

Firdaus also told reporters that Jamaluddin was presently talking to his lawyers on the validity of the resignation letter.

Osman has been unwell too

Osman also denied going to the speaker's house to deliver his resignation letter.

"I am still the state assemblyperson for Changkat Jering and until now there is no question of me defecting to any other party," he said in his statement.

He also hoped that Pakatan leaders, especially from his own party PKR, will stop making defamatory statements against him.

osman jailu rep pc 020209 puzi ghazali 02 His representative Puzi Ghazali ( photo ) also said Osman has been unwell and is on medical leave, hence his absence.

"He has been to the hospital. He will come out soon," he said.

Osman has earlier today lodged a police report through a representative on the matter at the Shah Alam district police station

He said that Osman suffered from fever and cough in the past couple of days.

"Being a former army man and being 57-years-old, he may not be well. I do not know where he is seeking treatment but he is on his way to a hospital," said Puzi.

"I also do not know what is Osman's next course of action as a result of the Perak speaker submitting his (Osman's) resignation letter. This is a legal matter and I am unable to comment on what he would do next."

He added that Osman would make his appearance in two to three days time.

Puzi, who claimed to be a PKR supporter and Osman's friend of 10 years', said he also did not know who lodged a report on behalf of the Changkat Jering assemblyperson early this morning at the Shah Alam district police station.

"It could be his other representative," he said.

To a question whether Najib had been hiding Osman, Puzi said he does not know and cannot comment on it.

Jamaluddin's press statement

Osman's press statement

VIDEO | 7 mins