WHAT CROSSOVERS? HAS IT BEEN JUST A BLUFF?

By : Zubaidah Abu Bakar

From the lively debates in the chamber to political wheeling and dealing outside, Parliament has it all and is the place to be, writes ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR.

PARLIAMENT is a hive of activity these days, turning at times into a stage for political gambits and power-brokering intrigues.

Statements made by several members of parliament, especially from Sabah, who have repeatedly said they are unhappy with the "raw deal" they got after playing a crucial role in Barisan Nasional's victory and insinuations that they might abandon the ruling coalition if things are not fixed fast have caused anxiety - not only to BN but also Malaysians at large, who have been following the proceedings through the various media.

While the widely publicised claims of crossovers during the debate on the royal address have taken centre stage during the sittings and coffee breaks, there are equally interesting but less noticeable events taking place.

The rumours of crossovers ended in an anti-climax for "observers" who travelled hundreds of kilometres just to "witness the historic event" on Wednesday. Some had arrived as early as 9am but gave up hope when nothing happened after 3.30pm.

"It looks like the failure to announce the crossovers confirmed a theory that it was all Anwar's bluff, at least for now," says one of the observers, the secretary of a party division from Kedah, referring to Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's claim that many BN MPs were ready to defect.

But an aide of a top opposition leader of another northern state has this to say: "It will take place, but not so soon as widely speculated. Wait till after August when Umno is too absorbed with its divisional elections; at that time, Umno leaders' concern will be to ensure they are nominated for posts they want to contest."

Independent Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali does not believe crossovers will happen.

"I have asked the BN MPs who are said to be crossing over from BN to Pakatan Rakyat, and they all denied they will leave BN," he says.

Concurs a blogger who has stationed himself in Parliament since the session started: "Anwar is playing mind-games. He does not have the numbers. It is all about PKR's agenda to rule the country and make Anwar prime minister, that is why only PKR MPs are talking about crossovers, not those from Pas and DAP."

BN should take the threats from Sabah Umno seriously, however, as history has proven that political loyalty is not paramount in Sabah.

Furthermore, Sabah politicians don't have a deep sentimental attachment to Umno, which could end up a dead party in Sabah like Usno and Berjaya.

Che Johan Che Pa, the Pasir Mas Umno vice-chief, likened the "threats" by Sabah and Sarawak politicians to "Umno's future being decided in the longhouses".

"They have basis for their demands for recognition as they contributed a lot of BN's seats in Parliament. After all, 10 of BN's 14 component parties are from these two states," he says.

Another interesting character is PKR vice-president and Gombak MP Azmin Ali, who's been spotted almost daily in serious discussions with certain personalities, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, over coffee at the MPs' lounge.

"It's done on purpose to create anxiety over claims of crossovers," laments one minister's aide.

Azmin had echoed claims by Anwar that the defections would happen. In fact, he told Parliament that Pakatan Rakyat, comprising PKR, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas) and DAP, with 82 of the 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, has the support of "friends" in the ruling BN to enable Pakatan Rakyat to form the federal government.

His assertion came amid concerns expressed by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on May 7 of just such a possibility.

The prospect was, however, rejected by former finance minister and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, arguing that BN is not unstable as perceived.

Several defeated BN MPs and assemblymen, now "unemployed", were seen in Parliament the other day dressed in their best suits, perhaps looking for favours from those in power.

One of them waited outside the hall for hours to see a minister from Johor.

It was noted that they were lobbying to get back into the mainstream by being appointed chairmen or directors of government agencies and government-linked companies.

Defeated candidates from Kedah are courting those in authority as they are unhappy over talk that Umno deputy permanent chairman Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin is to be made chairman of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, for the second time.

Badruddin, who lost the Jerai parliamentary seat in the polls, served as Fama chairman from March 1994 to October 2000.

A first-term MP is also working hard to make personal contacts with MPs from both the ruling and opposition fronts over a cup of coffee and friendly chats to rebuild his tattered image.

All this aside, ministers are being distracted from their real jobs during the current 16-day Dewan Rakyat meeting.

They will again be in Parliament for two weeks from June 23, and then again for 41 days from Aug 18.

Their focus is more on preparing to answer questions from the opposition. - NST.