At least 10 govt MPs want to switch sides, claims Bersatu leader

PETALING JAYA: At least 10 government MPs from various parties may join Perikatan Nasional, claims Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

The Bersatu supreme council member claimed that the MPs include those from PKR who are disappointed with the current government administration.

"Rather than speculating about more Bersatu MPs supporting the government, I think talk of government MPs, including from Barisan Nasional and PKR, supporting Perikatan to form a new government, are more realistic.

"I heard about more than 10 MPs who want to switch sides," Mohd Redzuan claimed.

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However, the former entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister declined to name the MPs involved or provide evidence to back his statement.

On Tuesday (Nov 28), Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal from Bersatu joined the list of Opposition MPs backing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Four other Bersatu MPs had previously pledged support for Anwar's leadership.

They are Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Zahari Kechik (Jeli).

With support from the five Bersatu MPs, Anwar should have 152 parliamentarians on his side, but this cannot be proven until bloc voting takes place in Parliament.

Sinar Harian reported Perikatan insiders saying that at least eight more Bersatu MPs from Perak and Kedah will switch allegiances.

Amid this, Mohd Redzuan claimed that one of the 17 parties in the unity government is set to withdraw support and back Perikatan.

"Even if the unity government has the support of 154 MPs, the support is still fragile.

"I urge Perikatan MPs to not make the decision (to switch sides). They will regret it when we form the government soon," he said.