KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) members of parliament were never approached by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders to cross over to the Opposition, said deputy president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili Friday (21 Mar).

"They won't dare. We're a team of principled leaders. Why should PKR and the Opposition engage in this disrespectful act of "buying" elected representatives.

"We had enough of frog politics in the past and the people had shown their disapproval to it by eliminating unprincipled politicians through the ballot box," the newly-appointed Science, Technology and Innovation Minister told Bernama Friday.

Dr Maximus was responding to press reports saying PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had held talks with a number of BN lawmakers said to be keen in defecting.

Anwar was also quoted as saying Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs from Sabah and Sarawak had contacted him to discuss switching sides.