Harapan accuses PN of using federal agencies to pressure opposition MPs

Malaysiakini:



Harapan accuses PN of using federal agencies to pressure opposition MPs

Pakatan Harapan has accused the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government of using federal agencies to “pressure” opposition politicians.

It alleged that this was part of a plot to make the MPs defect to support Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has a precarious majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

“The Pakatan Harapan presidential council has been informed of a series of actions by agencies including the MACC, Inland Revenue Board (IRB), and police on opposition MPs, their officers, and even their family members.

“As of now, we understand that these actions continue to persist along with pressure applied onto opposition MPs to declare their support for Muhyiddin,” said the opposition coalition in a statement this evening.

The statement was jointly signed by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

They claimed that such pressure had been applied to Lim, Kuala Langat MP Xavier Jayakumar, Julau MP Larry Sng, and Tebrau MP Steven Choong.

Sng and Choong recently defected from PKR to support PN and join Muhyiddin’s party Bersatu.

Last month, the MACC arrested a PKR state leader who was closely linked to Xavier for allegedly receiving kickbacks from ministry projects in 2019.

Elaborating, Harapan condemned the “abuse” of state apparatus to exert political pressure on elected representatives.

“Harapan condemns the use of MACC, IRB, the police, and other agencies as ‘political weapons’ especially to shore up support for the PN minority government.

“Political competition in Malaysia ought to take place in a healthy environment where democracy is practised based on the Federal Constitution,” it said.

Malaysiakini is contacting the Prime Minister’s Office and Bersatu for comment.

Yet another MP enticed

Meanwhile, Putatan MP Awang Husaini Sahari said he has been contacted by many who were trying to secure his support for Muhyiddin.

Putatan MP Awang Husaini Sahari

The PKR politician claimed such offers began in February 2020 when the Sheraton Move political coup happened and have continued to this day.

Awang claimed he was promised “various things” for his support but did not elaborate.

“To those still trying, stop it. I can’t be bought, I’m not for sale,” he said in a statement today.

He stressed his loyalty to PKR, the Reformasi agenda, and Anwar.

Awang’s statement followed similar claims by Sekijang MP Natrah Ismail yesterday.

The PKR lawmaker said two people had approached her offering her “benefits” should she defect to support Muhyiddin.

Natrah declined the offers.