THE Perikatan Nasional government is using both threats and baits to induce opposition lawmakers to switch sides, said Saifuddin Nasution Ismail following the sudden resignation of Xavier Jayakumar from PKR today.

The PKR secretary-general said the minority government was employing the police, Inland Revenue Board and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to intimidate opposition MPs into defecting.

“Dr Xavier (Jayakumar) recently met with the Keadilan leadership to inform them that the MACC targeting him after detaining his political secretary, private secretary and several others in an investigation.

“Subsequently Dr Xavier was also contacted by a senior minister and warned that he should support Perikatan Nasional or face serious consequences,” he said in a statement.

Saifuddin was repeating his claims last month that Putrajaya was trying to win the MPs’ support with threats and rewards  

He said opposition lawmakers were being threatened with tax, police and corruption probes.

This had followed Pakatan Harapan’s condemnation of the misuse of state apparatus to force support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

In a statement today, the MACC stressed it is an independent investigation agency and non–partisan.

The police and the Inland revenue Board also issued similar statements.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador denied the government was wielding the force as a political weapon against opposition leaders.

“I emphasise that PDRM has never been pressured to do this and I will not allow this force to be used for the purpose of going against the principles of democracy,” he said. 

The IRB also denied that its actions were politically motivated.

The IRB said its audits and investigations into individuals, including politicians, were solely to ensure compliance with tax laws.

“The IRB does not store information on race, religion or political affiliation of any individual in its database because such information does not help in risk assessment of a case. At the same time, the information of individuals or companies subject to audit and investigation is also not disclosed by the IRB as it is confidential,” it said.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin urged his PKR colleagues to stand firm against pressure from the authorities.

Of Xavier’s decision to switch sides, he said: “As someone who has known Xavier for a long time, his actions and reasons have raised many questions. Yet what distinguishes genuine reformers from others is that they stand the test of time.

“PKR and Pakatan Harapan will stay on course by preparing for the 15th general election while working to reclaim the mandate of the people in accordance with the law and constitution.”

Xavier is the third lawmaker to leave PKR in recent weeks after Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Chong, who left to back Muhyiddin Yassin as independent lawmakers. – March 13, 2021.