Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin poured heaps of praise on Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan, who left PKR today to sit as an independent lawmaker.

NONE Denying that the move had anything to do with BN, Muhyiddin said Gobalakrishnan "is a smart politician who has finally seen the failures of Pakatan Rakyat and the good deeds of the BN government".

Muhyiddin - who is BN deputy chairperson and Pagoh MP - also said the exodus from PKR was nothing new, since many founding leaders and members have left the party, which he described as being "on the brink of collapse".

"So, this development is just yet another sign that PKR’s struggles are not supported, not just by the leaders, but also by the rakyat.

"What is definite about Gobalakrishnan's statements is that he is disappointed with (PKR de facto leader) Anwar (Ibrahim). He feels cheated. In truth, the Indian community, among others, feel like they have no place in the PKR leadership.

"Maybe the promises made by Anwar in the early stages are sweet as they are magnificent, but it now shows that he cannot keep to his words,"  Muhyiddin told reporters after presenting aid to flood victims in Pekan Air Panas, Tenang, in the afternoon.

Other defections in the works?

NONE Saying that public confidence in PKR was eroding by the day, Muhyiddin added, "And I hope this gives the same message about PAS, since they are in the same boat, together with DAP. I believe this is not a very good sign for them.

"So this should be a lesson to anyone who still believes that Anwar is the country's saviour, since he keeps on using the slogan 'save Malaysia'. What does the country need saving from, if not from Anwar Ibrahim?"

He added that he was confident there would be other defections from PKR.

Gobalakrishnan ( above ) resigned from the party today, citing dissatisfaction and loss of confidence in Anwar.

Many have foreseen this move, for he has spent several months attacking Anwar and party deputy president Azmin Ali, both of whom Gobalakrishnan claimed are anti-Indian.