IPOH: Perak PKR vice-chairman Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad today refused to unveil the names of three opposition assemblymen whom he claimed to have voiced their support for the state government.
The Hulu Kinta assemblyman said he left it to the three elected representatives to announce their support for Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad's leadership.
"If I tell their names, that is no longer political. We have to respect people's privacy. In such a situation, it would be inaccurate for me to announce it.
"Let them (the three opposition assemblymen) announce it themselves. We respect them and it is better if they personally announce it," he told a press conference after attending a state assembly sitting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here, today.
Asked if he knew the factors that prompted the three assemblymen to express their support for the state government, Arafat said it was not due to allocations.
He added that the actions taken by the assemblymen were more in the interests of the people and the state.
On Monday, Arafat claimed that at least three opposition state assemblymen have allegedly thrown their support for the state government.
He said this followed a meeting held with the opposition representatives here last month and this month.
Yesterday, Perak Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin challenged Arafat to reveal the names of the three assemblymen; and described the allegation as political sensationalism.