PN slams ‘baseless claims’ about buying over BN reps

 

Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin of Perikatan Nasional (left) said he had only spoken to two BN assemblymen, both old friends, about their positions.

PETALING JAYA: Perak Perikatan Nasional secretary Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin has denied claims that the coalition attempted to buy over four Barisan Nasional assemblymen so PN could form the state government.

Zainol said Perak menteri besar Saarani Mohamad’s allegation was baseless and wholly untrue, according to an Astro Awani report.

“I have never given or offered or attempted to ‘buy’ any BN assemblymen. Don’t make such allegations. I had never personally contacted any BN assemblymen until (Saarani) was sworn in on Nov 22,” said Zainol.

He said he had met Saarani at 3am on Nov 20 merely to ask him about working together (to form the state government). “That was it,” he said.

Saarani was reported to have claimed yesterday that there were attempts to “steal” BN elected representatives, saying he was informed that a “PN agent” had called and texted the assemblymen to urge them to ditch the coalition.

Saarani said BN formed the state government with PH because he did not want a repeat of what happened after the 14th general election, where two BN assemblymen defected to form the state government with PH.

The two assemblymen were Zainol himself, and Nolee Ashilin Radzi.

Zainol, who is Perak Bersatu secretary, said he had contacted two friends who were BN assemblymen to ask whether they would be made executive councillors.

“I called them on Nov 22 but I didn’t direct or send any ‘agents’ as alleged, what more to ask them to leave their party. I know them and we’re good friends.”

He also denied that PN had contacted or asked any BN elected representatives to sign statutory declarations supporting the formation of the state government with PN.

“My intention in arranging the meeting between Saarani and Perak PN chief Ahmad Faizal Azumu was to see PN and BN forming the Perak state government, that’s all.” - FMT