KLANG: Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkaperi Hanapi, who is from Bersatu, officially recorded his support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
However, added to the retired military servicemen, he still remained a loyal Bersatu member.
"With the realisation that there was a need for political stability and smooth economic recovery, as well a regretting the difficulty faced by the people due to the current high cost of living, I pledge, as the Tanjong Karang MP to support the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 24).
Dr Zulkaperi added he was supporting Anwar on his own accord and not compelled to do so.
He said he made the decision to support the government of the day to ensure his constituents, as well as the infrastructural development of his constituency, were taken care of.
"I would also like to record my support for the policies and the initiatives of the Madani government, which emphasises on welfare, development, economy and the interest of the people, until the next general election," he said.
Dr Zulkaperi said he would never betray Bersatu, given that he is a party loyalist, but wanted to ascertain that Tanjong Karang was in tandem with the Federal Administration.
He also urged his constituents to cooperate and support the Madani government and pray for Tanjong Karang's rapid development.
Selayang MP and PKR general-treasurer said Dr Zulkaperi's move was indicative of matured politics.
"The country is going through a difficult time economically and politicians must put their differences aside and work together," said Leong.
He added it was also mature politics to not make political campaigning a prolonged affair.
"Once the polls are over, elected MPs must let the party that emerges champion do its job for the next five years.
"If they have better ideas, they should propose it in Parliament," said Leong.
Meanwhile, in an immediate response Permatang assemblyman Nurul Syazwani Noh said she was both shocked and disappointed with Dr Zulkaperi's move.
"The decision he made was without any consultation or meeting with me or anyone else from the (Tanjong Karang Bersatu) division," she said.
The Permatang constituency was one of the two state seats under the Tanjong Karang Parliamentary constituency, with the other one being Sungai Burong.
Nurul Syazwani's father Tan Sri Noh Omar was the Tanjong Karang MP for six terms until the last general election when he was dropped by Umno.
So far Dr Zulkafperi was the sixth Bersatu MP who had conveyed his support for Anwar.
The others were Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang),Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang).
