IPOH: Two to three Perak Perikatan Nasional state assemblymen are planning to declare their support for the unity government, claims a PKR assemblyman.
Hulu Kinta assemblyman Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad said these few Opposition representatives might declare their support in the next sitting.
He made the revelation when debating the Perak Budget 2024 at the state assembly sitting on Sunday (Dec 4) by saying that a couple of the Opposition representatives were happy with the unity government's leadership, be it at the federal- or state-levels.
At a later press conference, Muhamad Arafat said he had met with two of the Perikatan assemblymen in November and earlier this month.
"They told me that their party is in disarray and had not held a meeting for a long time.
"They say they are happy with the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad," he told reporters at the media room in the state secretariat building on Monday (Dec 4).
Muhamad Arafat said the two Perikatan state assemblymen had earlier gotten the wrong perception about the unity government, which they were told was corrupt.
"They told me that they are happy with the political stability, they are happy with the state and (there is) no corruption.
"They only want to help the people (and plan) to strengthen the state government by supporting us while remaining in the Opposition bloc.
"They will probably declare their support in the next sitting, not this time," he added.
At a separate press conference, Perak Opposition whip Razman Zakaria said Muhamad Arafat's statement was an act of provocation.
"We have no information about this. It's just cheap politics that is not helpful with nation building.
"Maybe he can name them," said Razman, adding that the state Perikatan was still intact.
Razman said those who planned to jump ships would only burn bridges with their constituents.
He said there were no longer safe seats belonging to Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan.
"As shown in the Kemaman by-election, there are no more Barisan or Pakatan fortresses, we are confident to win them in the 16th General Election," he added.
