This cross-over has led Pakatan Rakyat to further strengthen their authority with 32 state seats, after a period of uncertainty whether they could still hold on in Perak, and Barisan Nasional 27 seats.
The below is the statement claimed to be written by Dato Nasarudin himself, as posted in Anwar's Blog.
DATO NASARUDIN BIN HASHIM
ADUN BOTA NEGERI PERAK
—PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
PETALING JAYA, 25 JANUARI 2009
Assalamualaikum,
After taking into consideration the development of the political atmosphere, specifically the direction of the public’s support since the 12th General Election in March 2008, and also the condition that exists now in Umno and its leadership, I have taken the decision to leave Umno and join PKR, one of the parties in Pakatan Rakyat, effective today.
This decision has been taken after a long study and consideration of the public’s interest in general, especially my supporters and voters in the state assembly area of Bota.
1. I am very confident in the leadership of PKR that has the will and strong idealism to fight for the rights and interest of the multiracial public in this country.
2. I am confident that PKR will uphold and respect the rights that are enshrined in the Federal Constitution especially the position of Bahasa Malaysia as the official language, the sovereignty of the Malay rulers and the position of Islam as the official religion.
3. I believe that PKR and its partners in Pakatan Rakyat can establish a stronger coalition of component parties for the interest of the general public.
4. This will enable me to be a more effective assemblyman and to offer the best service to the local residents, seeing as Pakatan Rakyat has already established government in Perak.
DATO NASARUDIN BIN HASHIM
PERAK STATE ASSEMBLYMAN FOR BOTA