Bersatu’s Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid has not attended any Parliament sittings since announcing his support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
According to Hansard records as of yesterday (Oct 24), Iskandar only showed up in the august house in the days leading up to his announcement on Oct 9, 10, and 11.
However, he stopped showing up the day he announced his support for Anwar on the evening of Oct 12.
He was also not present when Anwar tabled Budget 2024 on Oct 13, and was absent for the next seven Dewan Rakyat sittings that followed.
Parliament only convenes from Monday to Thursday, with few exceptions such as when the budget is tabled.
Between Oct 12 and 24, Iskandar only invoked Standing Order 91 on two occasions - Oct 19 and 24 - which requires members to inform the Dewan Rakyat’s secretary of their absence.
Multiple attempts by Malaysiakini to contact him during this period have not yielded a response.
Iskandar had cited the rising cost of living in his constituency as a reason behind his decision to back Anwar.
He also claimed that he wanted to test whether the prime minister was sincere in providing allocation to any MP who supports the coalition government’s policies.
The Bersatu MP insisted, however, that he was still loyal to the opposition party.
Threat allegations
On Oct 13, opposition chief Hamzah Zainudin alleged that Iskandar had been blackmailed by the government and forced to support Anwar's premiership.
Hamzah claimed that the Perikatan Nasional lawmaker made the decision after he was taken to a hotel in Damansara where he allegedly met a senior MACC officer and was threatened with corruption charges.
The MACC has denied the allegation.
Following this, Anwar on Oct 18 reprimanded Hamzah and told the PN secretary-general to prove his claim by submitting evidence to authorities so they could investigate.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said yesterday that no report has been received on the allegation that Iskandar was blackmailed.
Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo had suggested calling Iskandar to the house to explain his position as well as address the allegations made by Hamzah. - Mkini
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