Wrong for PKR reps to cross over but okay for Amanah reps to join PKR, says Anwar

(The Star) – Julau MP Larry Sng Wei Shein and Tebrau MP Steven Choong Shiau Yoon were pressured into supporting Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional government, claims Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, adding that he would reveal details in due course.

Former PKR lawmakers Sng and Choong handed over their statutory declarations (SDs) in support of Perikatan to the Prime Minister on Sunday and stated that they will be “government-friendly Independents”.

Prior to this, Sng said he decided to leave PKR as there had been too much political instability in the past year.

He said his constituency was also the poorest in the country and the people were suffering because of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, loss of jobs, and declining income from low commodity prices.

In a Facebook post, Choong cited the need for Federal Government assistance to solve issues in his constituency.

Anwar, who is also Opposition leader, claimed Pakatan Harapan still enjoyed greater support although Sng and Choong have jumped ship.

“I hope the people would not misunderstand this.

“PN still only has minority support. Their numbers are way smaller than ours,” he said after officially opening the Pacific Regency Hotel here on Tuesday (March 2).

On a separate matter, Anwar said PKR’s decision to accept three Parti Amanah Negara assemblymen in Johor into its fold would not jeopardise relations with its ally.

He said when the trio had initially indicated their desire to join PKR, he had advised them to discuss the matter with Amanah leadership.

“I have been in touch with Amanah president (Mohamad Sabu) and I doubt this will affect relations between us,” he said.

The three assemblymen who left Amanah were Khairuddin A. Rahim (Senggarang), Muhamad Said Jonit (Mahkota) and Faizul Amri Adnan (Serom).

On Saturday, Khairuddin confirmed that they had joined PKR last year.