HOME Minister and Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said MPs who switched sides would not help in the effort to create a healthy political climate where integrity was paramount.

"I don't think it is right to switch. If we are bought, it will be the worst political corruption. I hope no politician will think of selling himself for short-term profit."

Speaking on the same issue, Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaludidn (BN-Rembau) said claims by BN members they were lured with money was serious.

"It has reached such an extent that it created questions among the people whether it will undermine democracy in Malaysia.

"I hope the people will think twice when they hear about claims BN reps will jump and question the motive (of the news)," he said.



Khairy also rebutted Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's claim that Pakatan Rakyat was not buying MPs but there were Barisan MPs who wanted to cross because they were disappointed with BN.

"Don't tell me within two months they all lose hope with the BN," he said.

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Azmin Ali reiterated that the pact will form the government by Sept 16 but not through "buying over" BN backbenchers.

"They are not coming to us because of monetary gain.

"They will come to us because of our policies," he declared in the Parliament lobby.

Azmin called on Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud) to prove his claim that he was offered millions of ringgit to cross over.

"Tell us how much, the date and who was the person who made the offer."

Azmin also took a swipe at Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

"How many times did he move? He moved from Pas, Semangat 45 and then to Umno," he said of Shabery's labelling of leaders.

In a press statement, DAP chairman Karpal Singh also took Shabery to task over the remarks, reminding the minister that he himself was once with Semangat 46.