Make Melaka polls the graveyard of political ‘frogs’

 

Malaysian politicians have not learnt their lesson but the people have had enough. The devastating effect of the 2020 Sabah state elections on the Covid-19 situation is still fresh in our minds.

We all know it was Perikatan Nasional which was behind an attempted takeover of the state government, using defectors, that led to the nightmare. Failing to stop the marauding opposition, Shafie Apdal advised the governor to dissolve the state assembly, precipitating fresh elections.

Yes, it was the unscrupulous elected representatives who not only betrayed the trust of the voters but ultimately also caused the number of Covid-19 cases to spike, as well as the number of deaths. This led to the nation eventually imposing various movement control orders which lasted for more than a year, making life difficult for many.

Political parties had tried various means to stop winners in elections from crossing over – making them swear on the Quran, taking oaths, signing agreements with penalties as high as RM10 million. Obviously, these measures have not driven any fear into them.

Despite the hard, painful and deadly Sabah lesson, history is repeating itself and this time in Melaka. and for exactly the same reasons: a thirst for power, position and political control.

The Melaka state government fell after former chief minister Idris Haron and assemblymen Nor Azman Hassan, Norhizam Hassan Baktee and Noor Effandi Ahmad withdrew their support.

But according to sources, Pakatan Harapan was a key instigator here – ironically, since they had been the biggest victim of the Sheraton Move of defections in 2020 which caused the coalition to lose control of the federal government.

A photograph showing Anwar Ibrahim with the four leaders before their announcement is testimony to PH’s involvement, however much it is denied. This action is unbelievable, coming from an opposition leader who had just signed a Memorandum of Understanding which included the tabling of an anti-hopping bill.

Obviously, PH had expected a smooth transition but were in for a shock when the state assembly was dissolved by the governor, a former senior Umno leader, on the advice of the chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali, also from Umno.

The coalition, together with the four plotters, has now gone to court to try and stop the polls.

Although the DAP has vehemently protested against fielding its enfant terrible Norhizam Hassan Baktee, who left the party at the time of the Sheraton Move, the party leadership has not been open on its stand about the other three.

DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang said the party must defend its moral high ground in rejecting the turncoats. But one is not too sure if this is the party’s stand.

A DAP source denied that the party had anything to do with the decision by the four renegades but it was definitely riding on them to get back into power, and at the same time showing some deference to Anwar who obviously played a huge role.

Umno and Bersatu have, as of now, declared there will be an open fight between the two leading parties in the state elections. PAS, known to merely want to be in the power equation, is taking a cautious approach.

With all this jostling, power play and disgusting political manoeuvring, it is the rakyat which is set to be the ultimate victims. The campaign is expected to be intense and bitter whatever tight SOPs may be in place.

Even if Umno, Bersatu and PAS reach an accord before nomination day on Nov 8, the electoral battle between them and PH is expected to be intense.

Only the power hungry politicians will end up winners yet again, not Joe Public, who may bear the brunt of another wave of Covid-19.

If voters in Melaka have to do one thing here for the nation, they ought to teach the turncoats a lesson. They would do the nation a favour if they make the state elections a “burial ground” not just for the four but also the others who caused the PH state government to fall by switching to Bersatu last year.

Honestly, voters have very little choice if they want politicians with honour. Most expect to see the same old faces contesting but with new promises that are going to be worthless.

They will say they switched parties in the interest of race, religion and country, a call that rings so hollow these days.

An anti-hopping law may also be legally challenged and manipulated to make it ineffective, I am afraid.

In this scenario, all the Melaka voters need to do is punish those who have brought this about, possibly even putting the lives of citizens at risk. Kill the political “frogs” once and for all. This will at the same time be a message to any government to change the law effectively.

Melaka will go to polls on Nov 20 with nominations on Nov 8. The Election Commission said 495,196 voters are eligible to vote. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.