The Ethics of Party-hopping

Dear Chin Huat,

Referring to your latest blog entry 'A New Malaysia, Saudara Anwar?'
This article you wrote should, in fact, sparks more debate about the current issue of political crossing-over / defect. Here i am offering my views...

You said Anwar Ibrahim is a bit impatient of 'seizing' the federal power by luring defection from other side, which his side was used to go strongly against. However, whether is it seat-buying, unless you have evidence, i can't say you are right on the motive of Pakatan Rakyat. Yes, you may damn some opportunistic politician who 'betrayed' his supporters who voted him/her in --- what if, those politicians, who have the heart of conscience, knowing that there is no good future in the current BN system? Neither can they reform the system nor bring welfare to their people in their constituency through this already systematic corrupted adminstration. What if now they realize what is right to do and have changed their political beliefs ever since the 12th GE and hence abandon ideology of BN, for the sake of the reform agendas promised by PR which they see better fits for the people in this country? What if they have known PR would bring a better 'bargain' for the people especially from East Malaysia? Perhaps the Federal government would allocate more financial funding from the national treasury coffer to aid better development of their area (especially those rural poor area in East Malaysia)? You might want to consider upon many other possibilities that why such a stand will be taken by politician.

Party-hopping sometimes means the dead disappointment or totally losing hope with one’s current party, and feels that what one is fighting for is no longer fits in this party. So, then why still stay in the party? Should elected representative has no freedom to advocate his new belief, quit the old and join the new party?

Soon, the ruling party UMNO is likely to change the leadership, then Najib would come on stage. Don't you worry if he would revert the country back to Mahathir-style-authoritarian state, and play greater cheats in General Election (like the case in Zimbabwe now) while retaining their notorious repressive system to crackdown democratic voices? wouldn't that be more hurtful to PR and hamper the hopes of Malaysian people for Reformasi? You would probably expect Najib would do anything to manipulate the election before 13th General Election to favour his coalition’s survival, so where is the fair chance for PR to govern and bring in those much needed and hopeful reform agenda and policies?

In my opinion, to right the wrongs and take the chances at this moment, for PR, is the most suitable timing (before Najib takes the reign). I must insist that they must reveal their governing policies, the candidates of PR’s cabinets, and how are they going to fulfil the reform agendas (especially on the Electoral reform), before they take over the government by this way. I sincerely agree with you, in future, to prevent this scenario from happening again, Election law should be amend, so that the incumbent MP who wants to resign and should be allowed to re-seek his mandate when switching side - this is the most ethical things to do.

Right now, we still live in the imperfect world, i would rather to see the end justifies the means, as BN has cheated the people for so long. I hope that PR should have basic principles and ethics, and would not resort to offering money or any specific position to exchange of the defection of MPs. I also hope that the decisions from the defecting MPs must NOT base on their personal gains, but for their sincere new political beliefs, and for well-being and gains for all Malaysian!