Sabah Umno stalwart Lajim Ukin has rubbished speculation over the weekend that his party members were defecting to PKR, but stressed that nothing is impossible in politics.
"That is just speculation, sensationalised by irresponsible quarters. I'm a senior politician, but anything can happen and if it is my constituents' desire for me to do so, then I will do what they want me to do," said Lajim, when cornered by reporters at Parliament House today.
"Whenever I voice the concerns of my people, I may sound like the opposition, but I have to do it for the betterment of my people," he said.
The Beaufort MP (right) even went as far as to say that therumour about his crossover had been started by those within his party."The speculation could have started internally with the intention to sideline me from BN," he said.
Nevertheless, if Sabah is BN's safe deposit, then the woes of its people must be resolved, said Lajim, who also said he had recently met Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on the matter.
"We have to be outspoken to ensure that our constituencies are well taken of and for overall benefit to the government."
Lajim complained that his constituency has for "centuries" experienced "flood problems" and also lacks well-paved roads.
"Today, the people are not like those of the 1960s, but are well-educated and have access to the new media," he noted.
"If I don't speak out, what will my constituents think of me? How am I to capture their hearts?"
The former deputy chief minister dismissed the alleged "internal ploy" as a political game, reminding detractors that he has been a politician for 26 years.
Potential defectors?
When contacted today, Sabah PKR chief Ahmad Thamrin Jaini also played down the talk of defection as mere speculation.
"No, the function yesterday was mainly for a fund-raising dinner, not for anyone to cross over," he said.
The spotlight had been on the dinner, with talk circulating that Lajim and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation deputy president Wilfred Bumburing would be defecting to PKR. However, this did not materialise."Perhaps because Bumburing (left), who is from BN, was at the Kaamatan festival and (PKR de facto leader) Anwar (Ibrahim) was to attend the event, it created the perception that there would be a crossover," Thamrin said.
Asked if Sabah PKR expects any defections from BN in the near future, Thamrin replied, "I think so," but he did not want to elaborate on who the potential defectors might be.
"I don't want to speculate. Just wait until the time comes," he added.
Lajim dah perjelaskan dia akan terus bersama BN, sebelum ini pun dah beberapa kali Lajim perjelaskannya. harap tak timbul lagi isu ini.
ReplyDeleteJangan dengar kenyataan dari pihak pembangkang semata-mata. Cuba kita tunggu pengumuman daripada Datuk Lajim sendiri.
ReplyDeletepembangkang mmg sejak dulu lagi suka mereka cerita.
DeleteLajim sendiri sudah buat penafian. perlu Lajim umumkan untuk beberapa kali lagi??
DeletePembangkang ni terlalu terdesak sampai timbulkan isu-isu macam ni. kalau ada pemimpin BN masuk parti mereka mungkin mereka boleh lagi mendapat kemenangan kerusi sampai 110.
ReplyDeleteKita perlu berhati-hati dengan apa yang kita lihat / dengar di media
ReplyDeletetidak hairanlah ... apabila pilihan raya semakin hampir, pelbagai khabar angin akan kedengaran
ReplyDeleteJanganlah menyebarkan khabar angin yang tidak benar
ReplyDeletebiarlah beliau sendiri yang menentukannya..
ReplyDeletelagipun, itu haknya sendiri untuk membuat keputusannya
ReplyDeleteI believe the people know how to evaluate between the good and bad
DeleteBN, its track record of being a very organised party is proven. the people of Sabah understand this and would vote for BN to power again.
ReplyDeletememang betul la kali si Lajim ni mahu keluar umno.. keluar saja ba.. jangan tunggu selepas PRU13.. kalau masa itu baru dia keluar, sia2 saja kena panggil katak atau pemimpin tamak..
ReplyDeletesyukur la Lajim.. walaupun dia banyak buat kenyataan bertentangan dengan kemahuan parti, beliau masih diterima dalam BN tanpa menghadapi sebarang tindakan dipecat dari parti.. kalau beliau dalam Pakatan, sudah lama dia kena pecat..
ReplyDelete