It is a worrying development that ‘party-hopping’ has become a cemented political culture in the country.
The latest political defection by certain politicians indicates a continuous unhealthy trend that has plagued the country’s political landscape, where the Perikatan Nasional government and Pakatan Harapan-plus are equally guilty.
Some politicians may argue that they are against party-hopping, but the fact that they are completely silent when party-hoppers join them and make all the noise when the hoppers go to the other side, speaks volumes of their integrity.
If politicians are really sincere against party-hopping, they must make a public stand even though MPs or state assembly members have shown interest in joining them. They should reject these politicians outright.
There is a difference between breaking away from a coalition that is oppressive and unjust to the rakyat, and breaking away because one wants a higher allocation for one’s constituency. Promising such allocations may be construed as bribery and those receiving them are also equally guilty. The authorities and their cohorts who use such tactics should be investigated and charged if there is a case.
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I have met several people lately who had turned out in great numbers and enthusiasm in the 2018 general election to reject a kleptocratic government. They told me they might not vote again in the upcoming general election, as the value of their vote seems to be secondary to these petty, unethical politicians who are crazy about power and positions.
The frustration of the voters should not be taken lightly. If one looks further, one can see that the immorality of political defections seems to be centred on the betrayal of a political party or the rakyat, without linking it to the larger aspect, where national security and sovereignty could be jeopardised by politicians who could be easily convinced or given material benefits to jump ship.
It seems that there are certain politicians who can be bought and sold, and this has significant security ramifications.
We wonder whether these same politicians can be bought over by foreign powers who might stand to gain if the former come to power? This could be seen in the context of geopolitical rivalries in the region.
Therefore, party-hopping must not be merely regarded as an electoral betrayal but should be linked to the possible impact on the country’s sovereignty in the long term. The implications of such behaviour for the country should propel law enforcement bodies to immediately investigate party-hoppers to find out the real reason for their defections.
Party-hopping could be a threat to national security and sovereignty in the long run if it is taken lightly by the authorities. – Malaysiakini
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
