PETALING JAYA, Sept 12 — Former Port Dickson MP First Admiral Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah said he was not a “traitor” to his constituents for vacating his seat to give way to PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said even though he will no longer be the representative of the constituency, he will continue to provide his service to the people.
“The word ‘khianat’ (traitor) is a bit too strong. I have campaigned for one and half years and I come from a rural area. I have seen poverty.
“Today, when I want to vacate the seat it is not out of enjoyment, but I think my strategy is my own view and it has nothing to do with Pakatan Harapan or PKR,” he told a press conference at the PKR headquarters here today.
Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said a traitor would be one who steals the people’s money and abuses his power to oppress the people.
He said the move to vacate a seat for a by-election to take place for certain reasons is part of the democratic process.
“Before this, Anwar was an MP, but then, it was taken from him when he was dragged into prison and denied him the chance. Now he is free to take part (in Parliament).
“Some are of the view that by giving way to Anwar, this would successfully resolve PKR’s mission... A noble intention is not an act of treachery because this is a legitimate process,” he said.
Saifuddin added that no compensation was offered to Danyal to vacate the seat.
“There is none. That is the beauty of being a party member of PKR. We don’t have to worry about that.
“Just like when Rafizi vacated the Pandan seat for Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, there was no compensation and he is a poor man now,” he told the media.
Earlier, it was announced that the Port Dickson seat in Negri Sembilan would be contested by Anwar to make way for his return to Parliament.
