KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Parliamentary Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Anifah Aman has denied widespread speculation that some BN members of parliament from Sabah would defect to the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) starting from today.

"There is no such thing... no Sabah BN MPs have indicated their intention to defect," he said yesterday.

Anifah, who is Kimanis MP, was asked to comment on the rumours circulating through short message service (SMS) and on the Internet that Sabah and Sarawak MPs would leave the BN within the next few days.

A defection of 30 BN MPs will allow the PR coalition to take over the Federal Government.

Sabah Progressive Party deputy president Datuk Eric Majimbun described the SMS as a mere rumour meant to arouse interest in the current political situation in the country.
Asked about rumours that a number of Sabah BN MPs would be going on an overseas vacation this weekend, the Sepanggar MP confirmed receiving a call from "someone" who arranged for the group trip.

He declined to divulge the details of the calls or the identity of the caller, saying that "he will not be able to make it".

"I am preoccupied with programmes to give alms to my Muslim constituents during Ramadan... so I need to be in my constituency."

United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation deputy president Datuk Wilfred Bumburing said that the SMS might be a rumour to confuse the people.

In Kuching, the four state BN component parties are confident that none of their MPs are likely to cross over to the PR come Sept 16 as they will not trade "principle for short-term gain".

Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Datuk Seri Dr James Masing said the opposition was mistaken if it thought BN MPs could be bought over to leave the coalition to form a new government to be led by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party deputy president Datuk Peter Nyarok said the party, including its four MPs, had pledged its support to the BN leadership under Abdullah.

Asked if such claims were possible, Sarawak United People's Party president Tan Sri Dr George Chan said everyone had dreams.

"Everyone has dreams. I have dreams. He (Anwar) has dreams. It's impossible," said Dr Chan, who is also deputy chief minister.

Sarawak BN backbone, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB) vice-president Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said he was confident all of PBB's 14 MPs and 35 state assemblymen would remain loyal to the BN -- Bernama