SHAH ALAM, February 12 – Port Klang State Assemblyman, Badrul Hisham Abdullah today denied rumours that he would be leaving the Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) representative said the allegations were untrue and were an attempt by the opposition to cause confusion within the PR government.

Badrul who had previously been linked to the issue of not working hands on or being accessible to the people in his area said, he had met with the party’s leader and Dato’ Menteri Besar who is also the Selangor PKR chairman.

“I have explained all the issues raised,” he said in a press conference after attending the Land Task Force Final Report Presentation Programme at the Dewan Annex, State Assembly Office, here this afternoon.

Badrul denied he had ‘disappeared’, as he was always in his office on a daily basis.

Asked by reporters on allegations that he faced charges of close proximity, Badrul said that it was the first time he was hearing of this.

“I didn’t do it, why should I be afraid,” he said.

Badrul who won the Port Klang seat against Roselinda Abdul Jamil (BN) and Nazir Mansor (Independant) in the 12th general elections, last March, was also said to have close relationships with Umno rulers.

“My house is surrounded by Umno and Pas people, although there is no one from the DAP as I live in a Malay area,” he said.

Badrul stressed that he had never thought of jumping parties as claimed by some.

Below is his media statement which was read out during the press conference.

“I would like to state my stand here on the spreading of claims recently that I would be leaving the Pakatan Rakyat. This is utterly untrue and is a trick by the opposition to create confusion within the Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor.

I am still continuing with my duties as the Adun of Port Klang as usual. My commitment is still strong and undivided towards the Parti Keadilan Rakyat and the leadership of the Pakatan Rakyat in general and most especially in Selangor.

I am discussing with my panel of lawyers and the party’s legal advisor to take action against the media who had spread this false news published in Agenda Daily and TV3. Once again, I reiterate that this news was published with malicious intent and is entirely untrue.

I have met with the party’s leadership and have explained all the issues raised thus far. I will try to correct the weaknesses voiced and am committed to continue working for the rakyat.

Meanwhile, PKR Vice President and Adun for Bukit Antarabangsa, Mohamed Azmin Ali who also attended the press conference said the allegations claiming Badrul would jump parties were baseless.

“This is all Umno propaganda, a dirty and disgusting method lead by Najib Tun Razak (Deputy Prime Minister) whereby I believe the rakyat have seen its (consequence) in Perak,” he said.

He said, the question of whether Badrul properly served the people he represented did not arise.

“What service does Umno give? At least he (Badrul) admits to his weaknesses and will correct them. This is charismatic leadership on the part of the Keadilan representative,” he said.

Azmin who is also Gombak Member of Parliament also questioned the actions of several media which had allegedly blown small issues out of proportion and expressed the hope that they would be more careful when reporting.

He advised PR Members of Parliament and Aduns to continue serving the rakyat besides focusing on more important issues including economic issues. – NOOR ALLIA KASSIM