Dewan Rakyat Speaker: Dr Xavier has submitted letter, now independent MP

PETALING JAYA: Kuala Langat MP Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar has sent in a letter to the Dewan Rakyat to announce that he will now be an independent MP, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.

This comes after Dr Xavier defected from Pakatan Harapan.

“I have received the letter from Dr Xavier via e-mail to state that he will now be an independent MP, ” said Azhar when contacted.

The letter addressed to Azhar from Dr Xavier stated that as of March 12, he will be a Perikatan Nasional-friendly independent MP.

“I, Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar, the MP of Kuala Langat, announce that as of March 12, I have decided to be an independent MP who will support the government bloc under the leadership of (Prime Minister) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, ” stated the letter signed by Dr Xavier and dated March 12.

A topmost source in Perikatan said that a meeting took place between Muhyiddin and Dr Xavier prior to the Prime Minister leaving for the Middle East on March 6.

“Dr Xavier will be meeting the Prime Minister to state his support after Muhyiddin finishes his quarantine as required when anyone returns from overseas, ” said the source.

Dr Xavier is the third PKR and Pakatan MP to defect in less than a month.

On Feb 27, Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong too defected from PKR to become independent MPs supporting the government bloc.

In a press statement on Saturday (March 13), Dr Xavier said he will continue to serve his constituency and support the government as an independent Member of Parliament.

"I am confident that I will fulfil my election promises to the people of Kuala Langat," he said.

The former Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister said that he was leaving the party he joined in 1998 as he is "extremely frustrated" by the events of the past year.