Syed Husin kicks up dirt on turncoats........

A gambling addict, a government position lobbyist and a contract hound.

These were what PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali  revealed about the PKR lawmakers who left to become “BN-friendly” independents over the past year.

He was coy, however, about naming names when delivering his wrapping up address in the party's sixth annual congress in Kota Baru this evening.

“There is one, who was a gambling addict. He would go visit karaoke bars every night, had debts all over town including those with loan sharks,” he said.

“He had also wanted a high position in the state government. He made such a big hue and cry when he didn't get it, until the prime minister's aide called him gave a new party constitution (to set up his own party) to fight (Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng).

“He was called to the disciplinary committee and he apologised to me personally. But just one day after that, he leaves the party,” he said.

Defector wanted to be KDEB CEO

Moving onto another defector, Syed Husin revealed that this man wanted to be the CEO of Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB) - an investment arm of the Selangor state government- which comes with a RM120,000 a month in salary.

“At that time the Sultan of Selangor did not agree to it, and (the turncoat) became furious with the party and the ketua umum (PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim),” he said.

He also revealed that Anwar, who is also the Selangor economic adviser, had to arrange for a committee to interview him anyway, but one of the committee member had strong objections.

“It turns out that this committee member knows this party leader's entire history. (The turncoat) also told me that he was ready to earn only RM1. But he only told me this after his application was rejected by the committee.

“Why not tell the committee during the interview itself,” asked Syed Husin.

He continued his tirade against this former party leader, saying that they used to be close.

“But every three months, when he is in the mood, he will start picking fights with ketua umum. But I knew about it. Every time he sends me an SMS, I will record it,” he said.  This leader who was referring too is believed to be a former high-ranking party leader who was not an elected representative.

Defected when contracts not given

The party number two also kept the crowd fixated in speech when he also revealed that an MP who had defected thought that he could have all the riches in the world as a lawmaker.

“I knew him, even before he joined the party. At that time, he was already rich with all his logging contracts, but he thought he could be richer as an MP.

“When he could not get what he had wanted, he started cursing at ketua umum in public. In his anger, it was easy for some to approach him and offer to him. So he left and betrayed the party even more,” said Syed Husin.

The veteran politician, who was the former head of the party's disciplinary board, sounded the delegates, urging them to be more disciplined.

“(The defections) would not have happened if we were disciplined and committed. I hope that all members, and leaders are fully committed to the cause of the party,” he said.

A total of 10 lawmaker have defected from the party, including five MPs, since early 2009.

source:malaysiakini

cheers.