A Perak PKR lawmaker has claimed he was contacted by the state Umno leadership attempting to form new state government following the dissolution of the Pakatan Harapan federal government.
Hulu Kinta assemblyperson Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad (above) told Malaysiakini he received a call from an Umno leader seeking his support to form the new Perak government.
“I confirm receiving a call to join Umno. After the Harapan government fell on Monday, a former three-term Perak exco member rang me up to invite me to join Umno.
“However, I declined and told the person that I will remain with Harapan in Perak,” he said.
Arafat claimed to have no knowledge if other Perak PKR assemblypersons received similar calls.
“On that, I am not sure,” he said.
Following the resignation of then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Monday and the collapse of the Harapan regime, it was speculated that Perak was among the Harapan-led states at risk to fall.
This was as the former Harapan coalition has 30 seats - DAP (18), Amanah (6), PKR (4) and Bersatu (2).
The opposition has 28 seats with Umno (25) and PAS (3). There is also one independent.
If Bersatu switches sides, Umno, PAS and Bersatu will collectively control 30 out of the 58-seat state assembly thus forming the new government with a two-seat majority.
Even so, Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu (photo) yesterday assured the state government was still intact as he still commanded majority support of assemblypersons.
Meanwhile, a source close to Perak PKR said there was a possibility an elected representative from the party would leave.
The source said the person was merely awaiting instructions from Kuala Lumpur before proceeding.
“After the PKR deputy president (Azmin Ali) announced his exit from the party, the assemblyperson said that person was leaving the Perak assemblypersons’ Whatsapp group.
“I believe that person could announce the decision to leave the party after the interview process on MPs at the national palace is concluded,” the source said.
For the record, aside from Arafat, the other PKR assemblypersons in the state are Tan Kar Ling (Simpang Pulai), Ng Shy Ching (Teja) and Abdul Junus Jamhari (Kuala Kurau). - Mkini
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