'I’m not quitting my people,’ says Danyal

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah has maintained that despite his exit as Port Dickson MP, he will still be there to assist incoming PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in serving the people.

“I’m confident that Anwar will win the seat and will proceed as the next MP for Port Dickson and become our 8th prime minister.

“I’m now announcing my resignation with immediate effect, and I’ve sent my resignation letter to the Parliament Speaker Wednesday (Sept 12).

When pressed by reporters over his reason to vacate the seat, Danyal's reply was: “I’m not vacating this seat out of enjoyment... I will continue to serve the people of Port Dickson. He (Anwar) was a bit reluctant initially, but I said I will continue to serve and all I need is your support.

“I’m not quitting my people. I will stay on in Port Dickson and I will be Anwar’s eyes and ears on the ground.

Meanwhile, party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also said that no compensation was offered to Danyal in return for the seat.

“There is none. That is the beauty of being a PKR member, we don’t have to worry about that,” he said.

“In fact, when Rafizi vacated the Pandan seat for Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, there is no compensation and he is a poor man now,” he quipped.

It was earlier announced that Anwar would contest the Port Dickson seat in Negri Sembilan to pave the way for his return to Parliament.