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I didn't switch over to BN, says PKR seconder

S'WAK POLLS Mathew Tira Rugah, who was the seconder for PKR Ngemah candidate Thomas Laja Besi, today denied that he has crossed over to BN.

He was rebutting a report in the The Borneo Post yesterday that he was seen campaigning for BN's Ngemah candidate Alexander Vincent.

Tira said in Sibu that he greeted Alexander as a tukang sembahyang (someone who leads a prayer session) last Saturday.

He claimed that he was unaware that BN party workers have made him wear the BN uniform during the prayer session.

He said he did not realise the consequences of wearing the BN uniform at that time, prompting many people to ask him whether he has jumped ship.

“They asked me on April 30 whether I had joined Parti Rakyat Sarawak (a component party of Sarawak BN).

“I said 'no'. I have been with PKR since 2008,” he said in the presence of Laja.

Laja said he only knew about the controversy after he returned from an interior area.

“Tira himself came to know about it when he read the report in the newspaper. He was following me all the time; if he wishes to jump ship, I don't think he will follow me.”

Said Tira: "I received a text message claiming that I was bought over for RM30,000. I went to campaign in the village, and I was asked, 'Have you switched over to BN?'; I said,'No.'"

The Borneo Post reported that Tira is now campaigning for BN's Alexander as he feels that the latter would ensure a better future for Ngemah.

It also reported another person who have switched over to Alexander's camp is Paulus Yan, a campaigner for independent Ngemah candidate Dr Joseph Jawa Kendawang.

Alexander reportedly said Tira and Paulus had made the right choice, having now understood "that only BN can bring in development for the people".

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