Malaysian Indian legislator quits party

KUALA LUMPUR - An ethnic Indian legislator Tuesday quit Malaysia’s opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) to become an independent “friendly” to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) which, he alleged 16 months ago, had offered him bribe.

Keshwinder Singh, elected to the Perak state legislature, quit the DAP and opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat, saying there was “too much of politicking” and that he could not serve his constituents.

Singh was one of the five Perak legislators who had, in February last year, lodged a complaint with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, alleging that the BN had offered them bribe to switch over the party, Star Online reported.

Singh said he had been offered RM 10 million ($3.05 million) as incentive to join the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), a constituent of the ruling coalition.

Tuesday, Singh also declared support for Perak Mentri Besar (chief minister) Zambry Kadir.

Perak had elected a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)-led government in March 2008, in which DAP was a constituent. The government lost majority due to defections. The DAP has now 16 seats in the 60-member legislature.

Malaysia has around 1.7 million Indian population.