The crossover to Umno by PKR Tanjung Malim Wanita chief Soraya Sulaiman and Bagan Serai Wanita division committee member Roshanita Mohd Basir over to Umno has been described as ‘insignificant’.

Asked to comment on the defection, PKR Perak deputy chief, Dr Lee Boon Chye ( below ), who is also Gopeng member of Parliament said ‘both are small fry and are not worth being bothered about’.

bukit gantang pas lee boon chye ceramah 010409 02 He revealed that Soraya had been suspended from her post six months ago while Roshanita was - according to him - just an ordinary committee member.

In announcing their decision to quit PKR this morning, Soraya said they had lost faith in the top leadership of the PKR which they alleged had deviated from their original direction.

"After having served and sacrificed for the party for 10 years, we are totally not appreciated.

"The women's cause in Perak, particularly, should be championed [...] that's why I chose BN as the platform," she said.

She also denied that she had been 'bought' by the BN to leave PKR.

"I was not paid, persuaded or offered any money or whatever (reward) [...] my decision to leave the party was on my own willingness.

"We hope that our departure will weaken Perak PKR Wanita," she said.

Taken control

Lee further said the PKR Tanjung Malim division which was formally headed by Behrang assemblyperson Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi had been suspended and the state PKR leadership had taken control of the division.

Jamaluddin together with two others had quit the party last year and become independents friendly to BN which led to the collapse of Pakatan’s ten-month rule in Perak.

NONE "We are now planning a new leadership line-up for the Tanjung Malim division and we hope to get the division going in about three months," Lee said.

He said Soraya and Roshanita leaving was no ‘big deal’ and Umno was only out for political mileage with the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election by baiting ‘small fry’.

Meanwhile, state PKR information chief Zulkifly Ibrahim told Malaysiakini that Roshanita was formerly from Gopeng and had transferred her membership to Bagan Serai as an ordinary member.