No defections!.. in response to Malaysiakini's report

Nine members of the state Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BBC) yesterday declared their loyalty to Umno and the BN and said that there would be no defecting to any opposition party.

State BBC chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the club fully supported the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

"We also warn Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Pas and DAP, along with their agents, not to spread rumours or allegations in relation to defections.

"Our loyalty and integrity will not be compromised by any party and we will remain loyal to the BN and state government."

pix: Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (second from left) with members of the state Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club

Apart from Zainal, who is the Sungai Lui sssemblyman, the other state BBC members are Datuk Roslan Md Yusof (Johol); Datuk Dr Awaludin Said (Kota); Datuk Mohd Kamil Abd Aziz (Gemencheh); Datuk Aziz Shamsuddin (Palong); Mustafa Salim (Lenggeng); Adnan Abu Hassan (Pilah); Zaifulbahri Idris (Chembong) and Azman Mohammad Noor (Bagan Pinang).

Mohamad, who is also state BN chairman, said he hoped the declaration by the BBC members would put to rest any speculation that state BN members were defecting to the opposition.

"I hope this issue will end here and not be prolonged. This is the time for us to work and implement all that we promised during the general election.

"I also hope the public will remain confident in the state Barisan leadership and help us bring greater development and progress to the state."

On a statement by Seremban Umno division chief Datuk Ishak Ismail in Internet news portal Malaysiakini predicting that three assemblymen in the state would defect, Mohamad said: "As Umno members, we must do our part to put an end to rumours and allegations which will destroy our party.

"We will discuss what he said at our next meeting before bringing it up to party headquarters for further action."

Malaysiakini had quoted Ishak as saying that Aziz, Mustafa and state executive councillor Shamsulkahar Mohd Deli would defect, with Aziz being the most likely.

All three have denied the allegations. – nst

BN has rest of the match to score

IN recent days, Pakatan Rakyat has been blowing its own trumpet over the defection of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim to Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

So sweet was the "victory" that even PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the cross-over as a significant milestone on the road to change.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin announced the possibility of three more Umno assemblymen jumping ship.

While he cannot be blamed for his optimism, Nizar should have held on to his horses.

The trio concerned -- Lintang assemblyman Datuk Ahamad Pakeh Adam, Pengkalan Baharu assemblyman Datuk Hamdi Abu Bakar and Kubu Gajah assemblyman Datuk Seri Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar -- have since pledged their loyalty to Umno.

The political scenario in Perak is precarious owing to the razor-thin margin that separates the Pakatan state government and the Barisan Nasional opposition.

Before Nasarudin's defection, the balance of power hung on two seats. Now, Pakatan has 32 seats to BN's 27.

Although Nizar might have thought that Nasarudin's move would secure his job, it might equally mark the beginning of the end for him as the state's 10th menteri besar.

Outgoing Perak BN and state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali was coy when he issued the warning to Nizar.

"This is like a football match. They have got one goal in the first five minutes but we have the rest of the match to score."

Stopping short of saying that BN would go all out to woo Pakatan assemblymen and topple the state government, he accused Pakatan of starting the ball rolling.

If Tajol Rosli sounded bitter, he had every reason to.

When rumours swirled that several Pakatan assemblymen in Perak were on the verge of joining BN last year, Tajol Rosli was accused of being unethical and corrupt.

However, these same people have now welcomed Nasarudin's defection with Nizar even saying that it must be respected.

Nizar should realise that although there might be internal problems in Umno and BN, his administration is no different.

Rifts exist between members of the state administration although these have been placed under wraps.

BN will try and capitalise on them.

The game has just begun and, as the saying goes, he who laughs last, laughs best. -- Husairy Othman, NST