COMMENT | No election please until we have anti-hopping laws
COMMENT | Why do we need an election if chosen candidates don’t respect the will of the people? After the Sheraton Move, there was a whole cry of betrayal and backstabbing.
After the fall of the Kedah, Malacca, and Perak state governments, the same voices shouted betrayal and backstabbing. Then the Sabah state election was called after another round of the same routine and same slogans.
And now...
COMMENT | Why do we need an election if chosen candidates don’t respect the will of the people? After the Sheraton Move, there was a whole cry of betrayal and backstabbing.
After the fall of the Kedah, Malacca, and Perak state governments, the same voices shouted betrayal and backstabbing. Then the Sabah state election was called after another round of the same routine and same slogans.
And now, just past the one-year anniversary of the Sheraton Move, we hear again that Tebrau MP Steven Choong and Julau MP Larry Sng (above) jumped ship.
And we hear the same song being played again. When will this ever end?
When Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) lost badly in the last election, we were still happy because an over-60-year-old Umno hegemony fell.
When PSM's Dr Michael Jeyakumar, the Sungai Siput incumbent MP candidate, lost in the last election, even losing his deposit, he still managed to say that we should never blame the people. People voted for change and that was the big picture.
Today, the only picture visible to the rakyat is that no politician or no political party can be trusted.
The will of the people is just balloting once in five years and losing that right immediately after they have voted.
Once a person is elected, the people cannot recall their elected representatives despite the fact it is their tax money used for the fat salaries of MPs and state assemblypersons. People are no more the bosses.
And now, why must the rakyat go out to vote if their rights and choices are not respected? This turns the election into a circus and a mockery of our democracy.
It is time we have anti-hopping laws first before we have another general election.
It is also time the rakyat have the right to recall any elected representative who betrays their mandate.
No elected representatives should be able to hop as they please and fancy.
During these times of emergency, when laws can be enacted with ease, the only law which matters is the anti-popping law.
S ARUTCHELVAN is deputy chairperson of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Just sick of the same bla, bla, bla the last few days. I want anti-hopping law, no point voting until anti-hopping law, no elections until anti-hopping law,... Is this law going to fall from heaven on to the lap. Even cry babies will stop after getting a candy. Can we change the conversation to how this can be done? Even how far-fetched it is.
Just sick of the same rhetoric the last few days. I want anti-hopping law, no point voting until anti-hopping, no elections until anti-hopping law,... Is this law going to fall from heaven on to the lap. Even crybabies will stop after getting a candy. Can we change the conversation to how this can be done? Even how far-veitch it is.
Everyone says I want anti-hopping law, no elections until anti-hopping law, no point voting until anti-hopping law bla, bla, bla....... Some already lobbying for their favourite party as if it is pristine and clean. Is that law going to fall from heaven. Can we change the conversation to how that can happen? However far-fetched it may be. Rather than knocking heads on the political stone wall, especially the ruling party. As if they care. I have yet to see politicians, one by one, standing up and saying, I will commit and lobby for anti-hopping law in Parliment. Make it a binding oath and declaration, so one cannot claim it is under duress. Say I will make a self-declaration and the penalties/consequences one is willing to bear. Make a start. Let's see the momentum rolling and building up. One by one, don't wait for party consensus. Stop preaching to others the obvious. How come SDs to topple government is so easy, but this is so difficult. So far just sick of the same bla bla talk like crybabies the last few days. It's like saying if only I strike lottery, I will be generous and become a philantrophist.