PKR defectors in limbo, seen as a liability

Both defectors - Jelani Hamdan and Jeremmy Malajad - have been marked out as one-term politicians and seen as a "burden".

KOTA KINABALU - Now that the frenzy’s over, there’s an unmistakeable lack of interest in the plans of the two former PKR assemblymen – Jelani Hamdan and Jeremmy Malajad.

They defected a month ago from Sabah PKR amidst much media hype but are now in limbo as local Barisan Nasional component parties continue to eye them as  a liability.

While their exit from the opposition has been welcomed by the BN, both have yet to find a home within the ruling coalition where they are hoping to command some clout in the hierarchy.

The duo have most recently been linked to BN minor party, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), the only Sabah BN party where they could wield some power under its chief Joseph Kurup.

Jelani and Malajad are pragmatic enough to know they rode on a wave of dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition in Sabah in the May elections and they did not stand a chance on their own.

Now, having declared themselves BN-friendly independent assemblymen, they are marked out as one-term politicians if they fail to negotiate a deal with a BN party.

In Kadamaian, former supporters and political observers predict this will be Malajad’s one and only term as their assemblyman.

“The YB himself knows he will not get fielded again by any BN party even if he joins that party,” a supporter told FMT recently.

Some of his constituents are even complaining that Malajad cannot be easily reached and those who tried were told he was away in Kuala Lumpur.

Will duo join Umno?

The duo’s former boss, Sabah PKR head Lajim Ukin, has described their departure from the opposition fold as a non-issue.

Lajim went so far as to thank BN for accepting the two former PKR assemblymen.

Political pundits here note that the inexperienced duo could become a burden for the BN in the next general election and it would have been the same if they had remained in the opposition.

Both are unlikely to be given an opportunity to be re-fielded by BN even if they join a coalition partner.

Their constituencies, Matunggong and Kadamaian, traditionally have been contested and held by candidates from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and the party is reportedly not interested in admitting the duo into its fold especially Malajad who is said to have earlier sent feelers to PBS.

PBS is also understood to be against the BN taking in the duo given the fact that there is no need for Sabah BN to do so as it already enjoys a two-third majority in the 60-member legislative assembly.

Jelani, who is also a leader of the Rungus community in the north, has so far given no indication of his future moves and has gone so far as to advise PBRS to revamp itself before asking him to join the party.

“It won’t happen unless there is a major reshuffle within PBRS to suit the current political needs,” said the local media quoting Jelani.

Jelani, a former Umno member, is said to be still linked to Umno in Kota Marudu area where a relative, Wetrom Bahanda @ Mohd Fikri, is the Umno divisional head.

Jelani’s wife, some claim, is still with Umno and wields influence among the Kota Marudu Umno women.

There is now even a speculation that Jelani and Malajad could be positioning themselves to join Umno if their bids to get into a Kadazandusun-based political party within BN stalls.

Either way, they are expected to declare their intentions within the next few weeks, according to sources close to both men.

By Calvin Kabaron FMT