In what seems like a flashback to the Sept 16 episode, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today hinted at more “good news” to come from Sabah soon.
This follows the defection of Tuaran MP Wilfred Bumburing and and Beaufort MP Lajim Ukin from BN last weekend.
“I will be back in Sabah on Aug 12, with some more possible good news... We will have to be prepared,” he told reporters with a grin.
He added that the negotiations with Lajim and Bumburing had been taking place for “some months now”.
“I have alerted leaders of PKR and DAP. It's not just Lajim and Bumburing, but also a number of leaders,” he said.
He added that PKR is “prepared to surrender seats to those new to Pakatan” and that this was the assurance given to Lajim and Bumburing.
“On whether they can contest, I have been given assurance that they can contest. Either, PKR or DAP, they will be given the option (of choosing their party).
“But it has to be under the banner of Pakatan, with the agreement of party leaders.”
Not encouraging frog culture
Responding to criticism that he is encouraging the culture of political defections, he said that these leaders had approached him on their own accord.
“It is not due to my encouragement. They came to offer support and they in no way support Umno or BN,” he said.
“I certainly will encourage those who have lost confidence in BN and support Pakatan to give us the support.”
He also denied that Pakatan had offered monetary inducements to the MPs so they would jump ship.
“I have instructed my lawyers to proceed with civil action against (Deputy Education Minister) Puad Zarkashi for suggesting that I paid Lajim millions to defect,” he said.
Lajim and Bumburing had defected from BN last weekend and pledged support for Pakatan.
Anwar in 2008 announced that Pakatan will form the new government through a defections from Sabah and Sarawak MPs on Sept 16 that year, but it did not materialise.