Breaking News: Resignation of Kedah assemblyman

《Malaysia Today》: Resignation of Kedah assemblyman

Posted by admin

Monday, 09 February 2009 00:14

Breaking News 1 -- Kedah state executive councillor V Arumugam has resigned as executive councillor and state assemblyman citing the threats and intimidation have made it unbearable for him to continue. The PKR assemblyman did not join BN. A by-election for Bukit Selambau will have to be called. Breaking News 2 -- PAS Youth has called upon all its members to go to Ipoh immediately to safeguard MB Nizar as there are rumours the police is planning to arrest him for sedition to the Sultan. 《Malaysiakini》:A by-election in Bukit Selambau? A by-election in Bukit Selambau? Feb 8, 09 11:59pm PKR sources have informed Malaysiakini that the party's elected representative in Kedah V Arumugam has submitted his resignation, necessitating a by-election soon for the Bukit Selambau state seat. It is leant that Arumugam had decided to throw in the towel following tremendous pressure on him and his family to defect to Barisan Nasional. Arumugam,54, could not be contacted for confirmation but high level party sources said that the party would make the news official tomorrow. It is learnt that Arumugam has submitted his resignation letter to the Kedah assembly speaker today and had gone overseas. Arumugam's resignation, if it is confirmed tomorrow by state officials, brings an end to weeks of speculation that he would be tempted or forced to join the BN. Police report lodged Early this month, Arumugan had lodged a police report claiming, among others, that there was an attempt to kidnap him. He also claimed that he and his officers have received numerous threats. "All of this is being done in order to force me to leave PKR and move to Barisan Nasional," he had said after lodging the police report. He had said that apart from the threats, he was also approached with lucrative offers in order to coax him into leaving PKR. Last week, talks of Arumugam leaving PKR heated up again, especially when he could not be contacted by anyone. His party colleagues then revealed that he was on leave. Kedah - which was an Umno stronghold fell - into the hands of Pakatan Rakyat following the March 8 general election. Arumugam was an independent candidate who joined the PKR after the general election. He was also a state executive councillor under the PAS-led Kedah government.