Special Branch probes defection rumours: S'wak MP
Tony Thien | Sep 1, 08 6:24pm
A Sarawak parliamentarian has today spoken out strongly about the urgent need to end the long rule of the 'arrogant' Barisan Nasional government as rumours of potential crossovers pick up steam with Sept 16 only two weeks away.
MCPX
The MP, an Iban who asked not to be identified, called Malaysiakini to say that Special Branch police officers had contacted him to check whether his name was linked to rumours of crossovers now making the rounds in Kuala Lumpur.
The rumours are related to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's plan to boost his Pakatan Rakyat's parliamentary ranks with defections from the ruling BN parties to take over the federal government by Sept 16.
The MP told Malaysiakini that while he could not be enticed with money, he nevertheless wants to see political change since it will be for the good of Sarawak.
He also said that the top BN leadership no longer inspires the nation and has lost the confidence of the majority of Malaysians.
“They refuse to recognise realities even when they are heading for doom,” added the Iban MP, who is from a rural constituency in central Sarawak.
Party leaders briefed
The MP said the president of his Dayak-based BN component party had brief party leaders at a recent supreme council meeting on the latest political developments and indicated how they might have to respond when the time comes.
2008 election results for sabah and sarawak 120508Despite fervent denials by the Sarawak BN leadership that the state component parties - PBB, SUPP, PRS and SPDP - are strongly united, there is little secret that the Dayak members within the ruling coalition are far from happy with the present power equation in the state.
Anwar has promised if Pakatan comes to power he would like to see a Dayak be chief minister, just as in Sabah where he had promised that a Kadazandusun would be CM if there is a change in government.
Sarawak's first and second chief ministers - Stephen Kalong Ningkan and Penghulu Tawi Sli - were Dayak from the Iban community before Rahman Yakub, who is from the Melanau minority, took power in 1970 and he was followed by his nephew, Abdul Taib Mahmud, in 1981.
There are, according to rumours, at least half a dozen potential crossovers from Sarawak and that in Sabah, the number be as many as one dozen coming from at least three parties there.
Tony Thien | Sep 1, 08 6:24pm
A Sarawak parliamentarian has today spoken out strongly about the urgent need to end the long rule of the 'arrogant' Barisan Nasional government as rumours of potential crossovers pick up steam with Sept 16 only two weeks away.
MCPX
The MP, an Iban who asked not to be identified, called Malaysiakini to say that Special Branch police officers had contacted him to check whether his name was linked to rumours of crossovers now making the rounds in Kuala Lumpur.
The rumours are related to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's plan to boost his Pakatan Rakyat's parliamentary ranks with defections from the ruling BN parties to take over the federal government by Sept 16.
The MP told Malaysiakini that while he could not be enticed with money, he nevertheless wants to see political change since it will be for the good of Sarawak.
He also said that the top BN leadership no longer inspires the nation and has lost the confidence of the majority of Malaysians.
“They refuse to recognise realities even when they are heading for doom,” added the Iban MP, who is from a rural constituency in central Sarawak.
Party leaders briefed
The MP said the president of his Dayak-based BN component party had brief party leaders at a recent supreme council meeting on the latest political developments and indicated how they might have to respond when the time comes.
2008 election results for sabah and sarawak 120508Despite fervent denials by the Sarawak BN leadership that the state component parties - PBB, SUPP, PRS and SPDP - are strongly united, there is little secret that the Dayak members within the ruling coalition are far from happy with the present power equation in the state.
Anwar has promised if Pakatan comes to power he would like to see a Dayak be chief minister, just as in Sabah where he had promised that a Kadazandusun would be CM if there is a change in government.
Sarawak's first and second chief ministers - Stephen Kalong Ningkan and Penghulu Tawi Sli - were Dayak from the Iban community before Rahman Yakub, who is from the Melanau minority, took power in 1970 and he was followed by his nephew, Abdul Taib Mahmud, in 1981.
There are, according to rumours, at least half a dozen potential crossovers from Sarawak and that in Sabah, the number be as many as one dozen coming from at least three parties there.
