KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — Barisan Nasional backbenchers have been told to attend an overseas retreat, believed to be in Australia, in what is being seen as an attempt to head off their potential defection to Pakatan Rakyat.
All BN lawmakers were told through a text message sent out yesterday that attendance for the trip is compulsory.
But the response so far has been lukewarm.
The text message from the BN Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) reads: "BNBBC has received approval to hold a retreat overseas from Sept 7 to Sept 19. The attendance of all MPs is compulsory."
"This is for all BN backbenchers not just Sabah Sarawak and is organised by Bung Mokhtar and Tiong, the chairman and deputy," an East Malaysian MP told The Malaysian Insider, referring to BNBBC chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and his deputy Datuk Bung Moktar Radin.
But the East Malaysian MP said he would not be attending the retreat.
"It makes no difference. If people want to cross then they'll cross but nobody is crossing anyway," he said.
Speculation has been building up in recent days that a number of BN MPs are planning to defect.
The swirling rumours are a result of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's pledge to overthrow the BN government through mass defections by Sept 16.
There are 140 BN MPs in Parliament but 65 are ministers and deputy ministers.
The opposition has 82 MPs with one independent.
Anwar needs only 30 MPs to cross over and he will be able to form a new government.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the planned retreat is being funded by one BN MP.
But fewer than 30 MPs have responded so far to say they will attend the retreat.
"This is the most stupid idea I have ever heard of. How can you stop defections like this? I wonder if they have the approval of the PM," said one BN MP from Johor.
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