MP Xavier quits PKR and declares support for Muhy

SHAH ALAM: Kuala Langat MP Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar (pic) on Saturday announced his immediate resignation as Vice President and member of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Xavier said following the events which have unfolded in the past year, he has grown extremely frustrated.

He said while there are parties discussing the possibility of elections, this is not necessary or viable at this point in time. 

“Our current priority should be to support the Government in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, to create jobs and to secure funds to rebuild the economy. 

“It will take at least 18 months just to complete the vaccination programme and more than two years for the economy to fully recover,” he said in a statement on his official Twitter account.

 He said this needed bipartisan support to make sure the efforts of the Government were fulfilled.

“The people want stability to restart our ailing economic sectors. Towards this end, we need to work together, not against one another,” he said.

The former Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister also said he would continue to serve his constituency and support the Government as an Independent Member of Parliament.   

“I am confident that I will fulfil my election promises to the people of Kuala Langat,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun confirmed receiving notification on the change in Xavier’s status to independent MP via email.

A copy of the letter dated March 12, among others, stated that Xavier had taken the decision to become an independent MP who supported the Government bloc led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. 

In an immediate reaction, PKR Secretary-General Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said as someone who had known Xavier for a long time, his actions and reasons raised various questions.

The Kulim-Bandar Bharu MP also reiterated the party’s call for all other PKR MPs to remain steadfast and adhere to the principles and path of its reform struggle,

PKR and Pakatan Harapan, meanwhile, would maintain their current direction to continue to step up preparations for GE15, he said in a statement.

The opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan is made up of PKR, DAP and Amanah.