Selangor reps deny possible defections, coup

PAS and PKR elected representatives in Selangor have dismissed the speculation that the state government could be hit with defections.

This comes in the wake of certain quarters claiming that a coup could take place in Selangor similar to the one which led to the collapse of the opposition government in Perak in 2009.

PAS vice-president Iskandar Samad claimed it would be impossible for Umno to attract assemblypersons from Selangor, including those from PAS.

The senior state exco member said PAS is committed to fulfilling the mandate given by the people to develop Selangor since the 2008 general election.

“I don't see this (defections) happening because the state government is functioning well,” he was quoted as saying by SelangorKini.

Meanwhile, PKR's Selangor exco Daroyah Alwi denied there is a possibility of a backdoor power grab taking place in Selangor.

She said the assemblypersons' support for Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali remains strong.

“Of course, we remain with the principle of PKR's struggle.

“Whatever the threats or disturbances, we remain steadfast in the struggle of Anwar Ibrahim, led by (PKR president) Dr Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail).

“And in Selangor with Azmin. We will not be divided on this,” she told Antarapos.

Another state exco, PKR's Amirudin Shari claimed that the speculation of a coup is an attempt to divert attention from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's press conference yesterday.

He claimed that the press conference became a “laughing stock.”

There had been high anticipation of a major announcement at the press conference yesterday, as top Umno leaders throughout the country were summoned to Kuala Lumpur.

However, when the announcement turned out to be that former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib was returning to Umno, the opposition began to joke about the anti-climatic outcome.

This led to speculation that Najib was to announce defections of state assemblypersons in Selangor, but had to settle for Muhammad after it failed to materialise at the last minute. - Mkini