Kota Kinabalu: Five Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders have decided to join the Barisan Nasional (BN), citing two main reasons for the fallout - false autonomy pledge and the dominance of non-governmental organisations, namely Sabah Reform Alliance and Sabah Reform Movement. The five are Sandakan Chief Mazhry Nasri, Kota Belud Chief and State "Buku Jingga" Director Saidil Simoi, Kalabakan Chief Iriansyah Yunus, Acting Putatan Chief Abdul Zainal Atin and Batu Sapi Deputy Chief Zainuddin Hassan. They were welcomed by Sabah Umno Secretary Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin on behalf of State Umno Chairman, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, on Thursday.
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"Their manifesto is not like what they have said in the 'Buku Jingga'. In article 7 of the book it is stated that the party plans to strengthen the State's autonomy.
"Yet after launching their manifesto, the autonomy issue was never brought up. If that's the case there is no reason to have the book in the first place," said Mazhry, who led the group, here.
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He regretted to have done so much for PKR for the last 14 years, adding that he had anticipated eleven divisional leaders would join the BN but only five agreed. He also said the Sabah PKR seems to have no decision-making powers following the inclusion of the two NGOs, touted as political parties much important than the State PKR at present.
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Mazhry added that Anwar had failed to hold on his words of only giving the Beaufort and Tuaran seats.
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Meanwhile, Yahya said this is a good sign as PKR members have finally realised Sabah rights can only be protected by the Barisan Nasional, as mentioned by its "I Promise" manifesto. He hoped more opposition party members from other parties would join or re-join Barisan Nasional so it would make a 'clean sweep' this election.
