NEWLY-appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s plan to introduce a law banning party-hopping by elected representatives is an encouraging move.

There has been great interest in party-hopping by members of parliament and assemblymen. Cases of MPs and assemblymen crossing over to other parties are nothing new in politics.

It has been practised before and will continue to be done in the future if left unchecked.

In Malaysia, MPs and assemblymen are voted based mainly on the party they belong to and less on their individual qualities and merits.

Crossing over to another party after being elected as a representative of another is not right and is morally wrong. It is unethical as it amounts to cheating the voters.

It shows a lack of integrity and credibility on the part of the defector. But a greater wrong is buying over representatives of other parties and making them defect. Such money politics is an act of corruption that must be condemned.

It is timely to introduce laws to declare a seat vacant and call for fresh elections once its MP or state assemblyman crosses over to another party.

Such a law would not only help check defections but also put pressure on the party leadership to be more stringent in the selection of its candidates for elections.

It will ensure that only those with loyalty, integrity and credibility are selected.

MPs and assemblymen are lawmakers who represent the people’s interests in parliament. Their debates on policies will shape the future of the nation and its citizens.

Political parties should respect the verdict of the people.

They should work to fulfil their pledges and strive to win over the hearts of the people by their commitment to serve them better.

They should not be obsessed with gaining power by buying over elected representatives from other parties. There are no short cuts to winning the hearts of the people other than hard work, dedication and sincerity.

CHRIS ANTHONY, Butterworth

Source: NST – March 28, 2008