Umno MPs deny crossing to PKR

Umno MPs deny crossing to PKR

PARLIAMENT, July 2 — Two Umno MPs have denied a weblog posting that mentioned them as possible lawmakers crossing the aisle to join Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)t with one of them, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yakcob describing it as "ridiculous".

"It is illogical that I would jump to the Parti Keadilan Rakyat. It is impossible that I want to join a party with an unknown future. I've been an UMNO member for so long and I will stay in Umno," Ismail was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

"Even if they offer me money or position, I will not join them. I'm already a Minister in the government," he said sarcastically. The webblog had claimed Ismail and Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Deputy Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah had met Anwar recently to discuss the move.

Saifuddin called for a news conference in the Parliament lobby to deny the claims, saying it never crossed his mind to ditch the ruling coalition.

"I'm an Umno member for life and I will never leave the party that I love," he said, denying reports that he had met Anwar. "The last time I met him was 10 years ago and it has been so long since I went overseas."

He added further, "I also did not contact Anwar or been contacted by him."

Anwar had claimed that he planned to announce that four BN lawmakers had promised to join him but shelved it after an estranged personal aide accused him of sodomy over the weekend. He has denied the charge and said it was politically motivated.
Malaysian Insider