KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara, the former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia leader who defected to Parti Bangsa Malaysia just recently, plans to defend the Segamat parliamentary seat that he won on Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) ticket.

Santhara claimed to news portal The Vibes that he remains popular in the Johor constituency and wants to continue executing "numerous people-oriented initiatives” there for another term.

"I have asked all of them whether I should stand and contest, and they want me to stand. Therefore, I think I have to defend the Segamat seat,” he was quoted as saying.

Santhara had won the Segamat seat as a PH candidate in the 14th general election but later defected to Bersatu alongside several other key PKR leaders in a move that triggered the fall of the newly-elected administration, later dubbed the "Sheraton Move”.

He was made deputy minister of tourism, arts and culture under the Bersatu-led government that ousted PH.

Explaining his decision to stand in Segamat to The Vibes, Santhara admitted he had spent over RM1 million of his own money for his constituency on top of government allocations.

He said the money was spent on boats and vehicles for government agencies to help with the flood relief.

He was also quoted saying he is proud to have helped to build several mosques there, in addition to his work with the local Christian and Orang Asli communities.