KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Corruption Watch (MCW) has called on the government to improve the country’s electoral system to address party hopping issues among elected representatives.
Its president Jais Abdul Karim said improvements in the electoral system are needed to ensure party hopping issues can be dealt with in a transparent and systematic manner, thus protecting the rights of the people.
“MCW is also calling for Parliament to form a special committee to look into party hopping issues and to come up with a decision that can calm the people down as they are confused with the decision by some elected leaders,” he said in a statement.
Jais said MCW was concerned about the current situation, where many elected representatives had crossed over to other political parties.
“We are afraid that ‘money politics’ or abuse of power has taken place for the sake of position and (ensuring that one’s) ‘rice bowl’ (remains filled), without thinking of the people who had voted for them during 14th general election.
“We cannot help but to feel disappointed with their actions for leaving their once ‘sacred’ party, making it seem like they are unethical and their stand can be easily bought over.
“Such a negative and unprofessional culture should not have taken place, for whatever reason. These political leaders had previously vowed to defend the ‘sacredness’ of their party.”
Jais said even though there is no law to prevent party hopping, it was an unethical act which could be due to corruption and abuse of power.
“Members of parliament who had won in their respective constituencies based on their party must have high integrity and morality. They must stand strong with the trust given by the people who have voted for them based on their party’s ideology.”
Jais said MCW did not rule out the possibility that the act (of party hopping) was a protest against a particular party’s leadership, which is seen as getting weaker due to money politics, corruption and continued abuse of power.
“However, they should settle any disputes at the party level rather than this act, as it has attracted the attention of Malaysians and the world.”
Recently, five MPs and nine state assemblymen from Sabah announced their departure from Umno.
The MPs are Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort), Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri (Kudat), Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (Beluran), Datuk Zakaria Idris (Libaran) and Yamani Hafez Musa (Sipitang).
The assemblymen are Datuk Musbah Jamli (Tempasuk), Datuk Japlin Akin (Usukan), Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor (Sulaman), Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar (Kawang), Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif (Membakut), Datuk Isnin Aliasnih (Klias), Datuk Matbali Musbah (Lumadan), Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (Karanaan) and Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (Apas).
Others from various places to follow suit were Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Mersing), Datuk Shabudin Yahaya (Tasik Gelugor), Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut MP and former minister), Datuk Mohamad Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam) and Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah).