SARAWAK MP Tambat Jugah Muyang today admitted in the Dewan Rakyat that he switched allegiance to Perikatan Nasional to get more allocation for his constituency.

“Thank you for approving several projects in Lubuk Antu. I wish to thank the minister on behalf of my constituents,” he said during Rural Development Minister Abd Latiff Ahmad’s winding-up speech.

“This is why I shifted my support to PN – to get more allocation for my constituents, who are still left behind. Thank you, minister.”

Tambat, who quit PKR in June, is now an independent MP supporting the PN government.

His remarks prompted R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) to stand up in protest.

“He is openly saying he shifted his support because of projects. This is the Dewan Rakyat, and they are openly talking about corruption. What’s all this, speaker?

“Are we to accept this openly, in front of voters?”

Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun said Tambat’s comments do not amount to a case of corruption.

“I don’t think it’s corruption. I think what you (Rayer) mean is lobbying to enable projects to start.

“Lubuk Antu was just expressing his gratitude for the projects and the allocation for his constituency.

“He did not say he supported PN after it was agreed that he would be paid or given more allocation. He did not say that. Maybe Jelutong understood differently.”

Tambat’s remarks came as Latiff was telling MPs about the status of projects in their states and how they can lobby their state governments to include the matter in their proposals, so that his ministry can consider them.

Tambat said his constituency is a rural seat, thus, it needs the government’s help.

Announcing his switch in support two months ago, he said his backers agreed to the move. – August 5, 2020.