PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) has accused the unity government of using “intimidation and threats” to coerce Kuala Kangsar lawmaker Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid to voice his support for the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Its secretary-general, Hamzah Zainudin, in a statement urging the government to cease power abuse and intimidation against all MPs, said Iskandar’s support was secured in order for Anwar’s Madani government to regain its supermajority in parliament.

The government lost its two-thirds support in Dewan Rakyat when Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman withdrew his support for the unity government in protest over the attorney-general’s decision to drop Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s 47 graft charges.

Hamzah said he “strongly condemns the continuous abuse of power by the Madani government to intimidate and threaten opposition leaders”.

He alleged that on September 26, Iskandar was approached by “a prominent business tycoon with a Tan Sri title” whom he said had close ties to the prime minister, at a location near Damansara, to entice him to support Anwar.

He claimed Iskandar was promised financial incentives and positions in several companies.

On October 1, Hamzah said Iskandar was brought to meet a senior Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officer at a hotel in Damansara where he was threatened with corruption charges if he refused to sign a prepared media statement in support of the government.

He also claimed Iskandar, during a meeting later with the PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, appeared “visibly distressed” due to the intimidation.

“His justification, using development allocation as a reason (for the support), significantly differs from the explanations he had given to some party leaders.”

Iskandar said he made the decision after scrutinising voter complaints and noted the urgent need to address the cost-of-living crisis.

“I believe that the economy must be improved for the country to prosper and for the wellbeing of the people. Therefore, I will support efforts of the prime minister to strengthen the national economy,” he said in a statement.

Iskandar, however, said he would not leave or betray his party, Bersatu, under any circumstances, based on the principle of loyalty.

Nonetheless, Hamzah said the party’s political bureau had summoned Iskandar to give an explanation before deciding what further action could be taken. – October 13, 2023.