By Clara Chooi - The Malaysian InsiderBATANG KALI, April 18 — Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hinted tonight that a top leader of PKR will quit the party tomorrow.
He made the announcement during a ceramah at Kampung Sungai Masin to a Malay-majority crowd here tonight.
Another PKR defection is likely to take place tomorrow, according to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. - Picture by Choo Choy May
Muhyiddin however did not elaborate but added that the resignation would cause a “big explosion” in the party.
“You just wait... Wait, my friends,” he said, smiling.
Muhyiddin did not continue further but speculation is rife that the "big shot" is likely Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong.
Following the resignations of three PKR lawmakers and the sacking of another one earlier this year, Wee was touted to leave after having joined some of his former colleagues in their criticism against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Attempts to contact Wee tonight proved futile but several PKR lawmakers told The Malaysian Insider that he was the most likeliest of the remaining number to leave.
If another MP defects, it would reduce PKR's seat count in Parliament from 27 to 26, two seats less than the DAP and five short of its original number seats after Election 2008.
He said that as the days progressed, PKR is slowly disintegrating and is on the verge of destruction.
During the critical period of the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election, the PKR was dealt with yet another blow when Shah Alam PKR Youth chief Nor’isham Manap, along with his deputy Muhamad Ali Mukhtar quit from the branch.
They were joined by a branch committee member Mohd Nazri Mukhtar and four other members of the Padang Jawa PKR Youth branch.
The group had quit due to PKR leadership’s choice of selecting former Umno man Datuk Zaid Ibrahim to contest in the by-election.
“So far, a total of nine lawmakers from PKR quit the party because they had lost confidence in their own leaders,” said Muhyiddin.
He notedd that the lawmakers had been swayed by Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's supposed charm.
“He is a very good speaker... a very fiery speaker. Some people say he is very charismatic but in truth, he is just good at twisting things.
“Many of these followers just sit quietly, entranced by him, they support him blindly and even when he speaks a lie, it becomes a truth.
“But then... after a while, they realise they were cheated by him and then they want to run away, run away quickly,” he said.
Muhyiddin also spoke on the issue of Zaid's supposedly “un-Islamic” past but was careful not to make any accusations.
“I know bad stories about Zaid but I do not want to speak about it. I am a son of Tok Iman, Tok Guru, I will not speak ill of others,” he said.
Zaid had admitted on Saturday night that he used to consume alcohol in the past but quickly added that he had repented and had since made peace with God.
Muhyiddin pointed out that it was the media who had asked him on the accusation against Zaid.
“They asked me, it was not me. Ah, those from the media here... correct yourselves... especially from Malaysiakini and Malaysian Insider who sometimes like to twist my words,” he said.
Muhyiddin said that he would not speak on the allegation that Zaid consumed alcohol although he knew he had the information.
“I can speak but I told the media I would not speak,” he said, smiling.
Muhyiddin also claimed that the PR was now getting increasingly worried of the BN's growing popularity with the people.
“Everyone knows 1 Malaysia and the people have begun to accept it and embrace it. This is why the PR is worried and scared... because they know that this 1 Malaysia is a unity tool that is very strong,” he said, referring to the concept adopted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He noted that this was why the PR was presently raising numerous issues to try and demonise the BN, in hopes of wresting the people's support in their favour.
“They accuse us of having links to Israel's Zionist regime... they said 1 Malaysia is One Israel,” he said.
Muhyiddin said however that this would not work in PR's favour.
“They claim we are tyrannical. But if we really are, then why, even after 50 over years of our rule, are we still in government?” he asked.
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