Subang Jaya, June 15 -- DAP’s Perak state representative for Malim Nawar, Keshvinder Singh, announced Tuesday that he has quit his party to become a Barisan-friendly independent.

Malim Nawar is one of three state seats located within the Kampar parliamentary constituency. The other two are Tualang Sekah and Keranji.

Speaking at a press conference, Keshvinder declared support for Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Kadir, saying that he was impressed with his leadership in the last 15 months after Barisan Nasional took over Perak from Pakatan Rakyat.

He also said he was leaving because he was “very disappointed” with the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat leadership and the “excessive politicking” that got in the way of him carrying out his duties.

"I found it very hard to work with the Pakatan Rakyat people to serve my constituents," he said, adding that he could not get any allocation for his constituents.

"I now realise that only Barisan can bring progress and prosperity to the people. I hope this decision will help me serve my constituents better," he said at a press conference at a hotel here Tuesday.

"I will be going to my constituency soon to explain my decision," he said, adding that he gave his resignation letter to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng earlier Tuesday.

DAP now has 16 legislators in the 58-member Perak Assembly.

On Feb 5 last year, five Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen, including Keshvinder, had claimed they had been approached by agents to cross over to Barisan Nasional.

Keshwinder had said then that he had been offered RM10mil plus the position of the Perak MIC chief and a place on the state executive council.

Meanwhile, Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said he would study the contents of Keshvinder's press statement before giving a full statement Wednesday.

"I am surprised by the announcement but we have been told that Barisan has been trying to entice our assemblymen many times.

"Keshvinder himself has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission against Barisan for an offer (made by the coalition)," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby in Kuala Lumpur.

-- The Star