“I am very confident in the leadership of PKR that has the will and strong idealism to fight for the rights and interest of the multiracial public in this country.”
Bota state assemblyperson, Datuk Nasarudin Hashim, in a press statement explaining his 25 Jan 2009 defection from Umno to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). He said his decision was made after considering the “needs of the people” and “developments in the political climate”. (Source: Adun Bota: Dato Nasarudin Hashim Menyertai PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s blog, 25 Jan 2009).
“If I [were] weak, I would not have been brave enough to join PKR…I was not given money or offers, nothing. I was taught to be truthful since I was a child.”
Nasarudin, responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s accusation that he was weak for crossing over to PKR and putting “his self-interest above that of Umno’s struggles” (Source: Nasarudin: I still have the fighting spirit, Sunday Star, 1 Feb 2009).
“Taking into account and respecting my electorate in Bota, as well as upholding the principles of democracy, and taking into consideration the advice and views of other politicians and my personal friends, I return to Umno and BN from today.”
Nasarudin again, in a press statement accompanying the announcement that he had returned to Umno’s fold just 11 days after defecting to PKR. (Source: Najib to seek audience with Sultan of Perak, The Nut Graph, 4 Feb 2009).
Salak says
He’s a chameleon!
Maybe a new Sony robot for Valentine ’09!
Balak says
Damn cute la this guy….
The red herring says
Well, Nasarudin has all this while been the red herring in this episode, just a bait. He was planted by BN top guns to cross over to PKR, to divert their attention for a while, making PKR look stupid in the end, after biting the bait.
After PKR’s announcement of Nasa’s defection, now BN has all the excuses they need to “retaliate” and tempt back the PR assemblypersons.
If we were to analyse deeper, the following could be some of the major reasons why PR lost in this tug of war.
1. They were not decisive enough and acted too slowly (should have sought for dissolution of the state assembly when it was apparent that there were impending defections. They waited too long after the defections were officially announced).
2. They do not have the “ammunition” to entice the assemblypersons from the other camp compared to the BN.
3. They are not as wily, what more they do not have the backing and support of government agencies.
4. BN is Malay controlled (now almost totally Malay controlled), whereas PR is not, although we have a Malay as the MB. This may sound a bit racist but presumably the R institution is more comfortable with BN compared to the present PR government.
If snap elections were allowed, it is very likely PR will form the state government again. Thus, the best way to prevent this is to send in a BN government although it may be argued that it is unsconstutional.
So, better learn from this bitter lesson and be more alert and vigilant.
Yvonne says
Nasarudin’s “fighting spirit” has turned to “hopping spirit”!
Owen says
I would never even consider touching this “Sony Robot” for whatever reason!
Siew Eng says
Most memorable politician of the decade! Beating Samy Vellu’s many goof-ups.
johnny says
You are a turncoat of the worst kind!
abubaker says
Let us call a frog a frog. No ifs, no buts. Be it a play or a plot, Nasaruddin is DISQUALIFIED, in view of the morality and fair-play of politics.