Several Umno assemblymen claimed that PKR agents had tried to entice them into crossing over.
Sat, Jan 31, 2009
IPOH ,MALAYSIA: The heat has risen a notch in the Perak political scene with claims by several Umno assemblymen that PKR agents had tried to entice them into crossing over.
Sungai Rapat assemblyman Hamidah Osman said that she received a call from a "PKR agent" shortly after Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim left Umno.
"The person called me while I was in the midst of work and initially requested to meet me in person," she told The Star yesterday.
"I told the agent that I was too busy to meet and said that we could speak over the phone."
The agent, she added, then asked her to leave Umno and join PKR, adding that she would be given a position in the state executive council if she did.
Hamidah claimed the person told her that a meeting with PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could be arranged if she agreed to cross over.
She declined the offer immediately.
"I still believe very strongly in the Umno spirit and I am firm in my convictions," she said.
Lintang assemblyman Datuk Ahamad Pakeh Adam too claimed attempts had been made to lure him, adding that those who had approached him were PKR strongmen who promised to arrange a meeting with Anwar.
On whether he planned to leave Umno for PKR, Ahamad vaguely replied:
"We will look at the situation. Not yet, there are more stories to be discussed."