Saturday, September 13, 2008

Tian Chua: Takeover plan on track - Star

SEPANG: Sept 13, 2008

Two PKR leaders who set off for Taiwan claim that Pakatan Rakyat’s plan to take over the Government on Sept 16 is on track.

Information chief Tian Chua said that what remained was ironing out technicalities to ensure a peaceful transition. He also said they were not heading to Taiwan for fear that the supposed detractors would change their mind.

Taiwan bound: (From left) Saifuddin, Tian Chua, PKR council member and Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul, Low and Wong leaving for Taiwan at KLIA yesterday.

“We have the numbers already. We are just going there to have coffee and spend time with them and also learn about agriculture from Taiwan so that we do not get left behind when Pakatan Rakyat takes over.”

Tian Chua, who is also Batu MP, is leading a group of five PKR leaders to Taiwan and was met by reporters at the KL International Airport before boarding a 2.20pm China Airlines flight to Taiwan yesterday.

Also on the flight were PKR strategic director and Machang MP Saifuddin Nasution, supreme council member Low Chee Cheong and Selangor state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong.

Election bureau deputy head and Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh caught an earlier flight to Taiwan.

Chua also said it was PKR’s responsibility as an opposition party to monitor the backbenchers’ expenses and ensure there was no abuse.

He said the trip was significant for PKR where they hoped to share with the Barisan MPs how Taiwan had developed from a dictatorship to a healthy democracy with checks and balance.

Saifuddin said MPs could show their support without leaving their party while the crossover could happen in three ways – by individuals, component parties or by group.

“Do we have the numbers? Yes. Do we have to reveal the names now? No. Some are in Taiwan and some are here,” he said.

He said his task was to speak with the Barisan MPs and the numbers were already secured ”some time ago.”

A group of Barisan backbenchers left for Taiwan on Monday to learn about agriculture in a move that was seen as a ploy to avoid potential crossovers and to derail Pakatan Rakyat’s Sept 16 takeover plan.

The backbenchers’ programme ended yesterday and some MPs are expected to return home today. The PKR leaders are expected to return on Sunday.

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