Nizar: Three more wanting to cross - NST

Jan 28, 2009

IPOH: Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said three more Umno state assemblymen were being wooed to join the Pakatan Rakyat.
Speaking at the Perak DAP Chinese New Year open house here on Monday, he said the three Umno assemblymen had approached Pakatan leaders after the defection of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim to the Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

However, he refused to disclose who the three were.

"I cannot give more specifics because we want to guard their security. Now Nasarudin is facing some problems after announcing that he is joining Pakatan Rakyat. So I cannot reveal who these three people are."

He said the Umno assemblymen had met PR leaders of their own volition.
"They came to see us after Nasarudin declared he was joining the PR. We have started discussions with them."

Nizar said he could not tell when the crossovers would take place, pointing out that it took Nasarudin at least three weeks to make his decision.

"Of course, time is of the essence and the negotiation is going on seriously."

Asked if the Umno men had provided any reasons for wanting to join Pakatan Rakyat, he said it was due to internal politicking.

"They had wanted to contest for top division positions but were told not to by the party leadership. When they insisted on contesting, they lost their bids."