I jumped ship for the sake of my constituents, says Shabudin

New Bersatu recruit Shabudin Yahya said today that his decision to switch allegiance from Umno was for the benefit of his Tasek Gelugor constituents.

Shabudin defended his move in a press conference in Penang today, saying that the people in his constituency would now enjoy the same "advantages and opportunities" as they did when he was part of BN.

"In politics, there are two things, party and the people. 

"What I did was better for the people, because I am now on the side of the government, we can now get whatever services and assistance from the government to help the people," he said.

Asked to respond to claims that he did not discuss the move with Tasek Gelugor Umno, Shabudin replied: "The decision (moving to Bersatu) was made by the (defecting) MPs."

"We all have our own reasons. If I had informed Umno, there could only be two situations: a yes or no.

"I had my own reasons which no one could say no to, and where only I can say yes," he said, adding that he would carry out his duties as a lawmaker diligently and to care for the welfare of all, regardless of race.

Shabudin said when he found himself no longer heading the Tasek Gelugor division after last year's general election, nobody in the party bothered about him.

"What do they care if I inform them of my decision (to join Bersatu)?"

On Feb 12, Shabudin made the switch to Bersatu along with six other former Umno MPs, in a move even certain leaders from within Harapan condemned as opportunistic.

Despite now finding themselves within the same coalition, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said earlier this week that he still condemned Shabudin for suggesting in 2017 that rape victims should wed their assailants in order to combat social ills.

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Read more: On the trail of defectors post-GE14

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Clear path ahead

Shabudin also expressed his gratefulness for the clearer path ahead of him – particularly with the Election Court throwing out Marzuki Yahya's election petition for the Tasek Gelugor seat.

Marzuki, the Bersatu secretary-general, had filed a challenge against Shabudin's slim win in the 14th general election. He lost the seat by just 81 votes.

"Now that I am very clear where I stand, there are no more doubts. I can organise my work more effectively for the Tasek Gelugor people.

"Whatever decisions are to be made now, we comply with Bersatu's top leadership. 

"It is now easy for me to explain to the people about the party, that we will always look into the welfare of the people," he added.

On working with Marzuki, Shabudin said they had always been friends, since their time in Umno.

"He is a very cooperative person, and we will work together for the benefit of the people, and to make our struggles in Bersatu more effective."