Perak: Umno state rep defects to PKR -Malaysiakini

Malaysiakini reported today that Bota assemblyperson Nasarudin Hashim (pic left) has quit Umno to join PKR, resulting in Pakatan Rakyat now controlling 32 state seats in Perak.

Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin when contacted by Bernama said that Nasaruddin made an announcement that he was joining PKR at the party’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

With this development, the BN seats have been reduced to 27, (Umno 26 and MCA 1).Nasaruddin, 58, is also a former chairperson of the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra).

Meanwhile, Nasaruddin in a press statement posted on PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim's website, said he took the decision after considering the interests of his constituents.

In the general election held in March last year, Nasaruddin defeated PKR candidate Capt (Rtd) Usaili Alias by a majority of 2,068 votes.

There had been talk that Nasaruddin might quit Umno after he lost in the contest for the division head post of Parit Umno, two months ago. He had been the deputy head of the division prior to the contest.

In a related development, Anwar said Nasaruddin’s decision is critical and reflected the sentiments of his voters, namely the Malays in his constituency.

He said this reflected the demand of the public and saw it "as the beginning of a new wave," when quizzed over the significance of the move.