In a Sinar Harian video, the Kuala Langat MP could be seen walking away from reporters who asked about his defection and whether he had been pressured to leave PKR.

Xavier, who was at a sports complex in Banting to receive his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, walked to his car as reporters chased after him.

On Saturday, PKR claimed that a “senior minister” had contacted Xavier, telling him to support the PN government or face serious consequences.

Party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Xavier had told the leadership that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had made him a “target” of a plethora of investigations, including the arrest of his political secretary, personal aide and other acquaintances in relation to an ongoing case.

Hours earlier, Xavier, who had been with PKR since 1998, announced he was quitting the party to support the government and serve as an independent MP.

He said he had become “extremely frustrated” following the events of the past year.

His resignation came after two other PKR elected representatives – Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong – quit the party last month and declared their support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.