MP quashes talk of jumping ship

ALOR SETAR: Days after taking over the Kedah government, Perikatan Nasional appears to be still trying to whittle down the number of Pakatan Harapan lawmakers in the state.

Padang Serai MP M. Karupaiya of PKR alleged that a federal minister had reached out to him more than once, with talk of a possible defection to the ruling coalition.

“I received a message from him asking for a meet-up. I told him that we can be friends but I am not willing to leave my political allegiance under any circumstances,” he said, adding that he had pledged his loyalty to PKR from day one.

Karupaiya claimed that the minister approached him for a second time when he was in Kuala Lumpur recently.

“I received a message from him again over a possible meet-up. I did not respond as I had no interest in this meeting,” he said.

The Kedah Pakatan HarapanBersatu government was toppled after two assemblymen from PKR – Azman Nasrudin (Lunas) and Dr Robert Ling Kui Ee (Sidam) – quit the party and threw their support behind the Perikatan government.

It was then speculated that more PKR lawmakers may jump ship. Karupaiya was said to be one of them.

However, Karupaiya brushed aside talk that he was quitting the party.

The retired sergeant-major turned businessman said: “To me, it is all about doing my job and taking care of my constituency. With the Covid-19 outbreak, I need to make sure my people are well taken care of and have enough rations.

“My priority is my people and with the festive season, it is important to make sure everyone has what they need for the celebrations.

“As an army man, I am sure people know I cannot be bought over. I am loyal and will retire as a PKR man when the time comes.”

Another lawmaker from the PKR camp in Kedah is also said to be in talks to jump ship, but the assemblyman did not respond to requests for comment.