Crossover leaves BN leaders in shock

By CLARA CHOOI and FLORENCE A. SAMY

IPOH: The defection of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim from Umno to PKR has left its Barisan Nasional counterparts in Perak reeling in shock.

State MCA chairman Datuk Kong Cho Ha said he had to answer to Umno and his constituents.

“I am shocked. This is a selfish move,” he said when contacted.

He added that Umno should investigate whether PKR had promised Nasarudin, 58, money.

“It is also up to his conscience whether he should have first vacated his seat (before defecting).”

Perak Gerakan chief Datuk Chang Ko Youn said Nasarudin should stick to the party under whose banner he was elected.

“If you disagree with certain policies, you should resign and offer yourself up as a Pakatan Rakyat candidate in the by-election.”

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who is also state PAS deputy commissioner, said: “There will be more crossovers; we are working on it.”

Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham welcomed Nasarudin into Pakatan, adding the latter had told him he wanted to contribute more effectively to the running of the state.

“I have also received, in private, congratulations from at least three former MCA assemblymen on how the Pakatan is doing a good job.”

In Petaling Jaya, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim congratulated Nasarudin, who was also Parit Umno treasurer, on his move.

“I’m not surprised. I think there will be more who will follow suit,” he said when contacted.

Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional assemblymen in Perak have urged Nasarudin to reconsider his decision.

Following a Barisan Nasional emergency meeting at the Perak Umno headquarters here late last night, state Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Tajol Rosli Ghazali said: “All who attended the meeting have expressed the hope that Nasarudin will review his decision and if possible, come back and join us.”

He added that there was no problem that could not be solved.

Tajol Rosli also invited Nasarudin to join him in a private meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, set to be held at an undisclosed location this afternoon.

Tajol Rosli also dismissed talk that more Umno assemblymen would defect.

Asked whether Nasarudin had ever mentioned or showed signs that he wanted to leave Umno, Tajol Rosli said: “No, he did not.” - The Star