Tun M: Axed BN leaders to join us
> ‘Incumbents jumping ship unhappy at being dropped’
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) has claimed that there are well-known figures from Barisan Nasional (BN) who are planning to join the opposition coalition ahead of the 14th general election (GE14).
PH chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said those who had approached the coalition were incumbents dropped by BN from contesting in the polls.
“New ones are taking their places as candidates, so they are not very happy,” he said.
“I heard (there will be) revolts in many places. There are also offers to sabotage. Some even indicated they would love to join PH,” he told a press conference after a briefing session for PH candidates at the MBPJ auditorium.
Mahathir, however, refused to provide any names when asked by reporters on the details of the BN leaders.
“There are not very many. But they are well-know figures. I won’t name them as it will be an embarrassment (to them),” he said.
Mahathir said the condition, which had befallen BN indicated that the ruling coalition would be facing a bigger problem maintaining its power.
He admitted that there were also leaders within PH who were disappointed after their names were not nominated as candidates.
However, the situation was not pressing as many of them decided to contain their feelings to ensure a win for PH.
“When you choose candidates, there are some who will be disappointed. But they will forget their disappointment and continue to support (PH),” he said.
Mahathir added the party leadership would engage with those who were not nominated and explain the situation.
“Our people are much more dedicated,” he said.