IPOH, Feb 3 - Behrang assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi has resigned from PKR in a huff over Pakatan Rakyat’s move to declare his seat vacant, saying he will remain an independent in the 59-seat Perak state assembly.
However, he was unsure if Changkat Jering assemblyman Osman Jailu would do the same. Both errant PKR state executive councillors have been missing since Chinese New Year, raising fears they had defected and forcing the Pakatan Rakyat government to request for by-elections.
The Election Commission today rejected the bid for by-elections.
“I sent the letter to the Perak PKR office here through an aide today. I am not sure whether it has received the letter,” The Star quoted Jamaluddin as saying.
The one-time postman who was elected in last March general election’s said the Perak PKR’s decision to submit his undated resignation letter as an assemblyman, which he claimed was signed under duress, without his permission was the tipping point.
“The distrust shown by the state party leadership towards me has made it impossible for me to remain in the party,” said Jamaluddin, who has yet to explain his absence beyond saying he was undergoing treatment in Pahang for a back ailment.
He also lauded the Election Commission’s decision to not call for by-elections, saying the move should be respected.
“Those who are clamouring for a by-election should now concentrate on serving the people,” he added.
There has been speculation that Jamaluddin and Osman, who are facing corruption charges next week, would quit PKR to join Umno. This comes at the heels of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasharudin Hashim’s defection from Umno to PKR on January 25.
If Jamaluddin’s resignation is confirmed, the Pakatan Rakyat government led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Niza Jamaluddin now control 31 seats against Barisan Nasional’s 27. -- TMI
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