A total of 3,226 PKR members, mostly from the Indian community, declared today that they had quit their party saying they had lost confidence in its struggle and leadership.

Penang Indian Development Association chairman M Nyana Segaran handed over copies of their quit letters to Prime Minister Najib Razak at the 1Malaysia Indian Cultural Carnival in Georgetown today.

Nyana Segaran, the former vice-chairman of Bayan Baru PKR division, said the group were PKR members from Bayan Baru, Batu Maung, Permatang Damar Laut, Sungai Ara, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Nibong, Sungai Dua, Bayan Lepas, Air Itam, Paya Terubong, Farlim, Relau, Tanjong, Weld Quay, Gelugor, Jelutong, Penanti, Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Jaya, Permatang Pauh and Perai.

Also in the group were 70 PKR members from the Malay community, he said.

PKR - party keluar ramai-ramai

Commenting on the group's action, Najib said Malaysians were now an educated lot and could not be easily hoodwinked.

"They could be cheated once or twice but not forever. That is why PKR is called 'parti keluar ramai-ramai' (mass exodus party)," he said.

He said based on BN’s by-election victories previously, it was clear that the Indian community had returned to support the ruling coalition.

"I hope the Indian community in Penang will follow the trend at the national level and return to the BN," he said.

Earlier, Bayan Baru member of parliament Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said there would be political transformation in Penang because the people had lost faith in the opposition pact.

"Let's be wise and not allow ourselves to be fooled," he said.

- Bernama