While PKR has welcomed Beaufort MP Lajim Ukin and Tuaran MP Wilfred Bumburing with open arms, its Pakatan Rakyat partner DAP would have reservations about accepting the two from BN.

NONE Kota Kinabalu MP Hiew King Cheu (left) , who is Sabah DAP advisor, told Oriental Daily News that the duo should have resigned from BN if they are really against the coalition.

He pointed out that Lajim still has Umno membership and holds the post of deputy minister, obviously while waiting for Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to sack him.

“But his action may give the negative impression that he is up for sale,” Hiew was quoted as saying.

If the duo are sincere, he said, they should draw a clear line between themselves and the BN by giving up all party and government posts, and joining Pakatan.

In another development, Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi alleged that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim may have enticed Lajim to defect by offering money.

“It is not impossible that financial approach has been used by Anwar who advised Lajim to resign his post after seeing that Najib was not listening to his views,” the deputy education minister said in a Sinar Harian report today.

“We know Anwar is also known as ‘three-billion (ringgit) man' (based on media reports). Therefore he may have used financial resources to persuade Lajim to (leave Umno).”

‘No other quit letters’

Beaufort Umno deputy chairperson Isnin Aliasnih said the division remains intact after the resignation, although Lajim had led the division for 26 years.

According to a Berita Harian report, he dismissed Lajim's claim that 15 of the 35 committee members of the division would follow in Lajim's footsteps.

“Where are their resignation letters? There is none. Just talking. We want to see evidence,” he reportedly said.

“There are 35 division committee members. Lajim said 15 will follow him but there is no letter at all. The division is indeed hot like walking on fire but, God willing, it will not be destroyed simply because of Lajim's resignation.”

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