KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers and ministers alike were all smiles and cheering their unexpected hero as they trooped out of the Dewan Rakyat after proceedings yesterday.

The unusual source of their joy was former PKR member of parliament Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim.

In his maiden address as an independent MP, Zahrain used the debate on the royal address to paint an unflattering portrait of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Zahrain, the Bayan Baru MP, said he had been “fooled” into believing that the transfer of power from BN to PR would take place shortly after the 2008 general election.

“I still remember how we, the Pakatan Rakyat MPs, were manipulated. We were told lies that more than enough BN MPs had defected. We were fooled that the King was waiting for us at the palace for confirmation that enough MPs had crossed over to the PR and that they had the numbers to take over the federal government.

“We were also told that the King had consented that the post of the prime minister would be given to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” Zahrain said, sparking uproar among the opposition MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

Zahrain said his doubts stemmed from what he called a change in PR’s direction, from being based on reform and change to “a fight for personal causes”.

“This was proven when the Sept 16 agenda leaked... the agenda to snatch Putrajaya at all costs! In their fervour to conquer Putrajaya, they sent Batu MP (Tian Chua), Bukit Lanjan (assembly member Elizabeth Wong), Machang (MP Saifuddin Nasution) and others to Taiwan to hunt down the Barisan MPs,” Zahrain said.

Deputy speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee then warned Zahrain to “be careful”, citing Standing Order 36(8), that the King’s conduct and character cannot be mentioned in parliament unless by special motion.

Zahrain protested that he was only relating “what has happened” before claiming to have been told that PR had the support of the army to form the federal government.

N Gobalakrishan (Padang Serai-PKR) then stood up and accused Zahrain of “lying in the Dewan Rakyat”. PKR strategy director Tian Chua (Batu-PKR) objected as well, saying that Zahrain’s remarks were “malicious” and had nothing to do with the royal address.

Chua: This is an issue brought up to attack an individual and no opportunity was given for that individual to answer.

Ronald: I don’t see how Zahrain is breaking the rules.

Zahrain: I am only relating what happened and why I decided to leave the party. There was an instruction for us to be at the parliament compound, to be ready for a takeover...

Chua: So you only want to follow those in power? Are you saying that when you don’t get power, you will shift?
Datuk Mohamad Aziz (Sri Gading-BN) came to Zahrain’s rescue, asking that the independent be allowed to tell his side of the story. He said that the statements were not slanderous.

A visibly irritated Anwar then walked out of the Dewan Rakyat, telling reporters that Zahrain was “angry” because of allegations relating to the latter’s purported “two-dollar company”.

“Which MP was here during the takeover?... Nobody was here. It’s not true at all... Which army officer did I meet? He is being used cheaply by Umno, what for?” Anwar said.

Anwar was referring to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s (Bagan-DAP) statements that his public spat with Zahrain was due to the Penang state government’s refusal to award his company a RM40 million tender to manage the state-owned Bukit Jambul Golf and Country Club.

In the House, Zahrain continued, “We were also fooled into believing that a deputy speaker would chair a session for a motion of confidence for PR”.

Amidst shouting from both sides, Tian Chua and Gobalakrishnan continued to heckle their former party colleague, challenging Zahrain to explain why it took him almost two years to raise the issue.

Gobalakrishnan lambasted Zahrain for performing a “sandiwara bohong” with unsubstantiated claims while insisting that the allegations against Zahrain’s company were supported by facts.

Mohamed, who is Umno deputy permanent chairman, then shouted at Gobalakrishnan, saying “you have lost your mind” as Gobalakrishnan continued to taunt Zahrain.

“He (Zahrain) wants to seek truth and justice but as chairman of the company, he begs for the tender of Bukit Jambul (golf club),” Gobalakrishnan said.

“People like me, 10 years in PKR, but when I wanted to be a candidate, Bayan Baru (Zahrain) was given the confidence to be a member of parliament and the rakyat chose him. But two years later, he wants power and to be rich,” he said.

Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin (Beaufort-BN), who is deputy minister of housing and local government, then joined the fray, defending Zahrain, who, he said, had “his own rights”.

Zahrain, who remained composed amidst the shouting, then told the House, “Doubt has overtaken my faith in PKR... it has shattered when I see the narrow politics of Bagan, Penang Chief Minister (Lim) who day by day was becoming more dictatorial, chauvinistic, communist-minded”.

Chua then sarcastically remarked to Zahrain, “I sympathise with your late realisation (of doubt in PKR)” before asking Zahrain to explain why he accepted the title Datuk Seri award purportedly nominated by Lim.

“The medal was given to me by the Governor of Penang, not Bagan or Batu (MPs). Be quiet. I’m ashamed that you are in cahoots with DAP,” snapped Zahrain.

The fiery independent MP then trained his sights on Lim, accusing the latter of being anti-Islam, a liar and for spreading lies about Zahrain’s involvement in the tender. He said he had directed his lawyer to take legal action against Lim.

“Bagan’s (Lim) chauvinism has got the support of Permatang Pauh (Anwar) who is apparently the champion of Islam, the champion of justice, the champion of everything... (He wears) many masks, a monster with many faces,” Zahrain said.

Zahrain then remarked that it was “so ironic how the wheels of justice spin” that the opposition leader was now complaining about judicial independence when it was Anwar who had supported the bid to sack the then Lord President Tun Salleh Abas in 1988.

As the heated exchanges continued, Zahrain agreed to give way to his “friend” Yusmadi Yusoff (Balik Pulau-PKR) to speak.

Yusmadi, who was previously rumoured to be leaving PKR, asked Zahrain to explain whether he had confidence in “the other side” to solve the problems faced by Penangites.

“Previously, the (PKR) de facto leader reminded us not to be subservient to DAP. His problem is now he is subservient to DAP,” said Zahrain, who began his reply by addressing Yusmadi as “YB Adinda”.

The deputy speaker then adjourned proceedings to today but Zahrain appeared to have the last word in the chaotic session.

“I hope Putrajaya turns out to be a nightmare for him (Anwar),” Zahrain said.

This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, March 18, 2010.