PH should stop ‘stupid’ argument it’ll accept only ‘good’ ex-Umno men

Sabah Umno MPs declaring their exit from their party at a press conference in Kota Kinabalu earlier this week.

I am disappointed Umno has disintegrated so easily. It shows Umno politicians are in politics for only one thing – to be in power and to ride the gravy train. There is no integrity, principle and tenacity. The interest of this nation and the welfare of its people are all tradable so long as their personal interests are protected.

To accept Umno politicians so easily and quickly into Pakatan Harapan (PH) also indicates the same haplessness in PH. I guess PH politicians have begun the “proxy war” in earnest. Each of the component parties within PH is now looking forward to recruiting MPs and assemblymen from outside rather than strengthening their cooperation from within.

I wonder how much is enough for PPBM and Amanah, when they have been given the opportunity to punch way above their weight. What else would keep them satisfied when they are already holding so many important portfolios in the Cabinet, including that of prime minister, home, defence, education, rural development, agriculture and health?

I think it is time for PH to stop the stupid argument, i.e. PH only accepts “good” Umno MPs and assemblymen. If they are any good, let them remain in Umno to be an effective opposition. If they are good, they should have joined PH before the election, not after Umno was defeated. If they are good, they should have realised Umno’s mistakes. If they are good, they should have stayed back to rebuild the tattered party to serve the nation and the people.

Accepting elected representatives from Umno into PH is just too expedient and too opportunistic. It means accepting Umno’s ethos and mentality rather than forcing the party to change.

It means PH is no different from Umno/Barisan Nasional – that politics is about enjoying power and riding the gravy train, not serving the national interest and taking care of people’s welfare.

Umno MPs and assemblymen jumping ship is akin to the illicit drug trade – both the sellers and buyers are at fault. Umno wants an easy way out to avoid punishment or to get back onto the gravy train. Some PH component parties also want an easy way out to reinforce their power and influence. In the process, no reform takes place in Umno. In the process, PH component parties would focus on consolidating power rather than serving the people and the nation.

My friends have urged me to be patient with the PH government. Maybe I am just alone in this: my initial euphoria post-May 9 has since long gone.

I see the coalition as directionless, not really competent or knowledgeable, afraid of making unpopular but right decisions, and succumbing too easily to certain vested interest groups.

Not only that, now the coalition partners are busily trying to out-manoeuvre each other. They have essentially forgotten how they have come from the wilderness.

TK Chua is an FMT reader.