Kuala Kangsar MP says no pressure involved, supporting PM to ensure funds for constituency

PUTRAJAYA: An Opposition lawmaker maintains that his reason for declaring support for the Prime Minister is so that funds will be channelled to his constituents, and not because he was pressured to do so.

Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (pic) also brushed off allegations that he was threatened with corruption charges.

“Throughout my service in the government, I was never involved in any criminal activities, what more corruption,” he said in a WhatsApp message on Tuesday (Oct 17).

He said as an elected representative, he held numerous engagement sessions with his constituents, from students to teachers, e-hailing drivers, hawkers and entrepreneurs to hear their problems and concerns.

“From these sessions, I found that many of my supporters, friends and voters are tired and frustrated with the political instability. They want to see political cooperation exist in the name of stability.

“That is why I have decided to support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“I hope with this decision, the government will provide allocations to my area for the benefit and welfare of the people in my constituency,” he added.

Stating that the freedom of choice is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution, Iskandar Dzulkarnain urged all parties to respect his decision and stop speculating.

He also maintained that he would not leave nor betray his party - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

“I will not leave my party in any circumstances for I am loyal and faithful to Bersatu,” he added.

When asked if he had been attending Parliament since he declared support for the Prime Minister, Iskandar Dzulkarnain remained mum.

Sources in Perikatan said they had not seen the Kuala Kangsar MP since Thursday (Oct 12).

Perikatan, in a response to Iskandar Dzulkarnain’s announcement supporting Anwar last week, had claimed that the lawmaker was pressured by the government into supporting Anwar’s leadership.

Perikatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin claimed that the MP was brought to meet a top officer of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on Oct 1 and was threatened with corruption charges if he refused to sign a statement stating his support for the government.

Hamzah further claimed that in a recent meeting with Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Iskandar Dzulkarnain “appeared visibly distressed due to the intimidation being placed on him”.

Iskandar Zulkarnain, 46, won the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election.