Despite repeated declarations by Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders that that no Sarawak BN Member of Parliament will cross
over to Pakatan Rakyat (PR), officials from PR have again sounded the drum.

As the coalition that is at the helm of the nation, the Barisan Nasional should take the initiative to overcome the atmosphere of uncertainty that has prevailed since the 8 March 2008 General Election.

As 16 September is drawing near, 52 BN backbenchers were sent off to Taiwan for a study tour, and Pakatan Rakyat counteracted by sending four envoys to Taiwan to persuade the MPs to defect to their camp.

Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing denied that he had sponsored RM500,000 for each of the MPs on study tour to Taiwan, saying the money could have been better spent "on investments in China."

The four dozen Malaysian MPs who are on an 'agriculture' tour of Taiwan will officially end their trip Saturday (13 Sept), and some of them have already left for home, said lawmaker Tiong King Sing, who organised the trip.

Four PKR leaders will leave for Taiwan on Friday to meet BN backbenchers currently on a study tour in Taiwan.

Sarawak members of parliament (MPs) from Barisan Nasional (BN) will not cross over to Pakatan Rakyat by 16 Sept to
form a new government.

Sarawak BN secretary-general Dr Stephen Rundi Thursday (11 Sept) denied that about 600 BN members and supporters, including those from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), from Uma Apan in Belaga have joined the opposition.

Gold sold in Malaysia carries the mark "916". Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is also benchmarking his political comeback as 916 – Sept 16.

UMNO Vice-President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should rethink his transition plan to step down by 2010 as the timeframe was too long.