According to Mohd Solihan Badri, Johor Perikatan Nasional’s deputy chairman, switching sides to support the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led Madani government will not guarantee grand projects for the constituencies. Badri stated that the actions of four MPs who threw their support behind Anwar in the span of a month are unhealthy for Malaysia’s democracy.
Badri emphasized that an MP’s responsibilities go beyond just small projects and helping the needy in their constituency. He also pointed out that MPs need to be aware of the state developments to provide job opportunities, housing, and address social issues.
He urged elected representatives to not be easily swayed by small issues that could be managed by the government agencies and use such issues as an excuse to switch their support behind the Prime Minister.
Badri expressed a lack of confidence that by voicing support for the Prime Minister, the constituency will have grand projects that will solve all their issues. He also pointed out issues in constituencies led by the government, such as lack of infrastructure development, flood issues, illegal logging, pollution, crime, rising cost of living and drop in the ringgit value.
On Wednesday (Nov 8), Jeli MP Zahari Kechik, a member of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, declared his support for Anwar, becoming the fourth Bersatu elected representative to do so in less than a month. He stated that his support for Anwar will remain until the next general election and that his shift of allegiance was not made under any duress or pressure from anyone.
On Tuesday (Nov 7), Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim became the third MP from Bersatu to declare his support for the unity government led by Anwar. He stated that his decision was made after studying and listening to Anwar’s Budget 2024 presentation, which was aimed at facilitating economic recovery and alleviating financial burdens for the people.
On Oct 12, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid declared their support for Anwar, saying he did so in order to gain an extra allocation for his constituency. Soon after, Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman followed suit.
