Perlis BN MPs and reps on verge of making a switch

KUALA LUMPUR: There is talk that several Barisan Nasional MPs and assemblymen, including a senior Perlis Umno leader, are considering crossing over to Pakatan Harapan.

According to posts on social media, a Pribumi youth member has accused the leader of thinking of crossing over but attempts to get hold of the leader, believed to be Perlis Umno chief Shahidan Kassim, to confirm the news had been unsuccessful.

However, Shahidan posted in Facebook later yesterday, asking Umno and Barisan members to stay calm.

He said he was in talks over a major matter.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail claimed that several Umno parliamentarians contacted the party asking about the possibility of joining it.

“We are hoping there will be more Opposition MPs coming in,” he told reporters at the Cheras Rehabilita­tion Hospital, where the release of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from prison is anticipated.

“I am in touch with Umno MPs from many states who have expressed their interest in joining PKR. And to join Pakatan Harapan as well. The numbers we have now is 113, I am quite confident it will increase,” he added.

He said it was the Opposition MPs who approached them and not the other way round.

“Quite a number. You will be surprised. I am not going to mention the numbers now,” he said.