2 reasons why Anwar should not court BN MPs
There are problably more than two reasons why Anwar should not court BN MPs but I will only elaborate on these two which I think are the most important and relevant, at least from my point of view.
1. BN MPs are not the choice of the rakyat.
In my humble opinion, any attempt, by Anwar or anoyone else, to bring BN MPs over to the PAS-PKR-DAP coalition will be a great disservice to the people who have chosen to place the trust in the said new coaltion. The people have had enough of BN and the BN MPs. I wont take the trouble to go through why the ‘rakyat’ are sick of BN but sufficient to say here the people want change, so they voted for change. The rakyat from all walks of life who have institued change in the 8th march election do not want to have anything to do with BN and its arrogant, self-centered MPs. That is why the PAS-PKR-DAP coalition is given the mandate and won many Parlimentarian and DUN seats. Even where the coalition candidates lost, the BN had won with much reduced majority and if not for all the cheatings and dirty-tricks employed by the BN, I dare to say the BN had lost completely in the recent election.
So any attempt to bring these BN MPs into the coalition can somehow be seen as not respecting the people’s wish, although the BN MPs may have been lured into the PAS-PKR-DAP coalition with no money involved.
2. Anwar himself does not like Barisan Rakyat’s MPs to be courted (or bought over) by BN
I don’t have to elaborate more about this as the reason is very much self explanatory. Just read this article in KL Pos where Anwar had locked PKR MPS for three days in a hotel so that these newly elected PKR representatives could not be approached and bought over by BN which is well known for having a lot of money and willingness to buy over competition as long as they get what they want. One of the main reasons why Anwar was doing this is because (in my own words) he claimed that any ‘wakil rakyat’ that jumped ship is considered a traitor to the rakyat who have placed the trusts in them, very much related to the no 1 reason above.
So, if Anwar doesnt like his MPs to be bought over, he should not try to woo the BN MPs to join the PAS-PKR-DAP coalition that have been given new lease of life by the rakyat.
In my humble opinion, again, if any of those BN MPs, or from any coalition for that matter, would like to leave BN or their respective parties, they should just leave and resign and let the people democratically choose their repsentatives again in by-elections. The MPs can the join any new party as new ordinary members and work their way up.
I would really appreciate readers thoughts on this issue. Please leave your comments to let us know.
7 Comments
Not all BN MPs are bad. They too represent the same Rakyat that chose them over PKR, DAP and PAS candidates. So we can’t say it is against the Rakyat’s choice bcoz they represent the the same Rakyat that we know. I think you need to stress that we should choose the best rather than saying boycott all BN MPs.
Furthermore, Husam said they are working with PKR and DAP to get 30 MPs in order to form the government, so this is a joint venture, only that Anwar is a figure head.
CJCM: Thx Abdullah for your view. I should have mentioned also the BN MPs also have been selected by their own voters and supporters. So jumping ships for BN MPs also constitutes betrayal to their supporters. My overall opinion is that any MP from any party should not betray their supportes by jumping ship. Just resign from the party, vacant the post and let the people decides again in by elections.
I beg to differ. Yes BN has won the game, but with an uneven playing field. Do you think people would choose them if they were given fair choice? BA lost to rural folks because they were denied coverage on the oppositions so they remained deaf and dumb. It’s not hard to understand how they were fooled time and time again by RTM and TV3 ,to name a few biased mainstream media.
EC too played an extremely important role to ensure the BN victory. Didn’t you hear about hundreds of buses and thousands of cars flocking terengganu and kelantan days before the election? Chalets and resorts were full of them prior to the big day.Don’t forget that EC had cancelled the use of indelible ink to make a ride smooth for BN in grasping the power.
So,no! I don’t think Anwar disrespect the people by courting BN’s MPs. In fact, he is a saviour for pursuing the move; he is here to save democracy to put things back in place. I do hope, and I’m sure I’m not alone in this,that Anwar will become our PM and he rectifies the mess made by the BN regime. He will restore the three main pillars of our country;the judiciary, legislative and executives. I want those who commit wrongdoings being put on trial and punish for good.
Those can only happen when Anwar becomes PM, god willing.
CJCM: Norizan, yes you made your point clear. Please see previous comment for my 2 cents on MP jumping ship. TQ
CJCM, you have your points.
But I bag to differ, it is not the right thing to do, but it is the best thing to be done, for all parties, to the people, to BR and even to BN.
Previous elections done on uneven footing, it is obvious people want to change, yet it is impossible for BN to be toppled, base on what BN has done on the electoral system.
The current political instability does not benefit anybody, including BN, no one is sure who is the government the week after this week. BN can’t govern properly, with such insecurity.
If Anwar court the BN MP it is to solve this situation, whilst BN court the opposition MP is to strenghten their political grips, so that they can continue the agenda as at before election. So, there is a difference.
Ideally, I would like this to happen, 30 people jump ships, thus Anwar can form government with a simple majority. And with the government formed, Anwar should anounce a snap election to be done in 6 months time, so that, the people can vote the government of their choice. And Anwar should promise, regardless of the election result, he will respect the result this time.
On this 6 months before the snap election, Anwar should
1. reform the SPR, put in a very respectable person agreed by all parties to be in charge to promote fair play.
2. reform the media, proper coverage are given for both parties so that people can make wise decision.
3. encourage all the people that have not registered to register, and vote the government of their choice.
So, it is a people choice government. It is something like what happen in Thailand one year ago to outs a bad governed government, just that in Thailand the government is toppled via military coup and Malaysian government is toppled via ‘jump ship’. Eventually, democracy is practiced, people can choose the government of their choice, and all parties should honoured people wish.
And this government being a people choice government will be implement the changes as per their manifesto and serve the people.
A government that is not a majority choice and to govern another 5 years is a disaster in waiting to me. And regardless the election result, BN can concentrate its much needed reform, rather than to worry daily, what Anwar’s next move. It is not fair to the people if this is the case.
CJCM: Thx CKLoh for your elaborate points. I stand firm on the fact that it is not the right thing to do, just like you said, but I am completely sold to your idea of how a ‘not the right thing to do’ can be used to ‘do the right thing’. It is interesting to see how Anwar will pull this off.
I have been told by my friends in Sabah and Sarawak. East Malaysians don’t like BN, in fact they hate them. they regret why their forefathers chose to join Malaysia.
For example, Brunei is the smarter one, not joining Malaysia, and the citizens there enjoy getting petrol at 40 cents cheaper. The Brunei people are taken care. East Malaysian, especially Sarawak being main source of petroleum, but BN take all the money, and give only a small portion for Sarawak and Sabah for their development. West Malaysian states get much more bigger portion.
If Sabah and Sarawak didn’t joined Malaysia, and manage all the petroleum income by themselves, they will live like Brunei people, not like how they are living now. The inflation in East Malaysia is much higher compare to West Malaysia, you need to pay at least RM 2 for the same plate of noodle sell in KL.
Then why choose BN, if they hate them. Reason is simple, BN have basically blackmailed them, after they contribute so much to Malaysia economy especially via petroleum. BN told them, if they don’t vote BN, they will not get the development money. No water, no electricity for them. Don’t dream of opposition can build a road for them.
Being majority are not well informed of their rights, especially those who stay outskirt, they have to believe what BN said, and they need to vote BN just to get the electricity and water, and hope some roads are built in the states where the government don’t really develops since it takeover at 1963. Basic needs like electricity and water supply still is a big issue. Can you believe it?
GOVERNMENT SHOULD BUILT IT BECAUSE THEY PAID THE TAX.
GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BLACKMAIL THE PEOPLE OF SABAH AND SARAWAK JUST TO GET THE VOTE.
DEMOCRACY IS DEFINITELY NOT PRACTICED IN THIS PIECE OF LAND.
However, this tactic proven effective, they need tHE government to get them basic needs. And everybody knows that BN is the government, even they hate BN, they still need to vote BN. This is their only chance to get the basic needs. This explains aparts from Sarawak’s capital Kuching and Sabah’s capital KK, the rest of the parliament seats are won by BN.
And they are surprise that BN hit by the political tsunami in Peninsula Malaysia. If there is an election today in Sabah and Sarawak this week, be assured that the people of Sabah and Sarawak will votes against BN this time, to voices their frustrations that are in their bloods for so long.
THE PEOPLE OF SABAH AND SARAWAK IS BASICALLY REGRETTED THAT THEY VOTE BN, THE MOMENT THEY KNOW THE ELECTION RESULT IN PENINSULA.
It is sad the above happen in Malaysia, a country that call themselves Cemerlang, Terbilang and Gemilang.
I told the above, because I want to take back what I said in the earlier comment. In the earlier comment, I said jump ship is ‘not the right things to do’.
From the BN treatment to Sabah and Sarawak, I must said, it is ‘the right things to do’ for Sabah and Sarawak elected MP to jump ships. I am ignorant before I know the facts.
I hope people will not look down on the Sabah and Sarawak MP if they jump ships. I am sure they are respected person from their committee that is why there are MPs. And if jumping ship means it will get the better deals for their people who votes them in, it is the right things to do.
BN never traits Sabah and Sarawak as the equivalent partners, they grabs all their petroleum, timbers and gives back a very small portion to them. You see the latest cabinets, you will know. Iban is the biggest races in Sarawak and they are not represented. And exactly how many cabinet ministers from East Malaysia, where most their seats come from?
If Anwar said that he can makes Sabah and Sarawak MPs to join him, but he needs not to pay any cents, he might be right after all!
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