Stop those 'cross-over stories,' says Maximus

PUTRAJAYA, Sep 2 (The Star) -- Fed up with claims by the Opposition that Barisan Nasional MPs from Sabah and Sarawak were going to cross over, a senior Sabah politician has asked Pakatan Rakyat to stop telling cerita dongeng (mythical stories) to the rakyat (citizens) because the “jump will never happen."

Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president Datuk Maximus Ongkili said he was fed up with PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for making “baseless and unfounded allegations about us hopping to the Opposition fold,” as such claims sparked concern not only among other Barisan component parties but also among the people of the two states.

“Talk about us becoming katak (frogs) jumping to their side is a whole lot of nonsense. We are faithful and steadfast behind Barisan.

“Barisan may not be perfect but it forms the best government Malaysians can ever have. I, for one, am anti-hopping. Those who want to leave the Barisan fold should not cheat the rakyat who elected them because they were part of the coalition,” he said on Tuesday.

Maximus was commenting on claims by Anwar of a “clear and true possibility” that MPs from Sabah and Sarawak were planning to leave the coalition to join Pakatan Rakyat.

Maximus, who is the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said if there were MPs planning to cross over to the Opposition, they should ask for the rakyat’s permission by going for a by-election.

“If the people still choose them even after leaving Barisan, then they can go with a clear conscience. Otherwise, they are only betraying the rakyat,” he said.