ROMPIN: A Bersatu lawmaker today admitted receiving an email and WhatsApp messages from a "broker" to pledge support for the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim but refused to "make any move".
Rompin member of parliament Datuk Abdul Khalib Abdullah said he chose not to meet the "broker" in person as it would only spell trouble, adding that he knew the motive behind the series of text messages that was sent to him.
"I received an email from an unknown sender in October last year displaying interest in building a resort in Rompin and when I chose not to reply, I started receiving WhatsApp messages between December last year and early last month.
"The contents of the text messages included providing flood assistance for Rompin and I replied to the person to contact one of my aides to coordinate the aid. He began to regularly contact my officer before one day I told my friend Muhammad Islahuddin Abas (Mersing member of parliament) about the messages.
"Islahuddin replied that he also received similar text messages and that it was from 'broker' who acted on behalf of the government to entice support from Bersatu elected representatives... some individuals were trying to take advantage (since there is no allocation for opposition members of parliament)," he told reporters after handing over aid to flood victims in Kampung Rekoh in Bukit Ibam here today.
Non-governmental organisation Pertubuhan Peneraju Aspirasi Sahabat Rekreasi Perak along with the Rompin MP's office had distributed 400 essential food aid boxes which were sponsored by a private company for flood victims in Rompin.
Meanwhile, Khalib, a first-term member of parliament, said the WhatsApp messages sent to him last month included invitations to meet up but he declined.
"I did not want to meet the individual as I realised that more problems would occur. Since I did not entertain the text messages, the sender has stopped messaging me.
"I chose not to entertain the messages as I want to continue serving Bersatu. As the opposition I want to be the people's voice in Parliament and not betray the mandate given by the people who supported me during the last general election," he said.
Last year, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal claimed that all Bersatu MPs had been approached to pledge their support for the unity government.
Meanwhile, Khalib said allegations by Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz on the possibility of 10 more Bersatu MPs, including some from Pahang, announcing soon that they support Anwar, had raised a lot of questions.
"There are only two Bersatu MPs in Pahang. Saifuddin (Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah) and myself, so people began to speculate.
"Bukit Gantang (Syed Abu Hussin) claimed that 10 MPs will support the government, which got everyone excited, but he should have disclosed the names. InsyAllah (God willing), there will be no other MPs choosing to support (the unity government).
Last month, Syed Abu Hussin claimed that 10 more Bersatu MPs will lend their support to Anwar ahead of the parliamentary session scheduled next week.
