KUALA LUMPUR — Two Kedah PKR defectors who on Tuesday (May 12) announced their departure from the party are staring at possible lawsuits that could compel them to compensate the party with RM10 million (S$3.27 million) each after an apparent breach of contract, said Datuk Johari Abdul.

The Kedah PKR chief was quoted in a Malaysiakini report as saying that both defectors — namely Lunas assemblyman, Mr Azman Nasrudin, and Sidam assemblyman, Mr Robert Ling Kui Ee — were liable for the RM10 million fine after having signed an agreement aimed at preventing party hopping.

“They have sworn and signed a document where, if they were to leave and jump parties, they will have to pay PKR RM10 million per person over the betrayal they have committed today.

“So to them, be ready to face this situation because it is what you have promised to the people,” Mr Johari was quoted as saying in the report.

This comes after Mr Azman and Mr Ling both formally left the party through a press conference earlier on Tuesday, with both later declaring themselves independents and their support for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s leadership under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration.

According to the same report, Mr Johari also took a swipe at the duo, reminding them that they have betrayed the rakyat. He added that the rakyat would surely be enraged, as both men were only elected because of their capacities as representatives of PKR, not on their own merits and strengths.

He asserted that the duo, by defecting, had put their interests ahead of the peoples’ and abandoned PKR and its fight for the people.

Mr Johari added that he was not surprised by the duo's move, noting how Mr Azman and Mr Ling were previously seen being friendly with former PKR deputy president, fellow defector and supposed catalyst behind the fall of Pakatan Harapan, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Kedah Opposition chief Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced earlier on Tuesday that PN had amassed the numbers to form a new state government, with 23 assemblymen, including Mr Azman and Mr Ling, effectively ending the reign of Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and PH in the state. MALAY MAIL