I love frog legs, but loathe two-legged frogs

I believe many of you love frog legs. I do too. Frog legs are a smooth light white meat that can take on great flavours if marinated or seasoned properly.

Frog legs are among the most prized cuts of meat, in my book at least, leaving chicken, pork or beef far behind. Have a go with it in your porridge if you take supper and you will probably agree with my taste buds.

The taste and texture of frog meat are approximately between chicken and fish, and is said to be one of the better-known delicacies of Chinese cuisine.

The delicacy is not particularly expensive, even at restaurants, and this is probably one reason why frog farming is not flourishing here.

I’ve read that bullfrog farming is no walk in the park as the cost is high and a good supply network is essential. Many have given up on this aquaculture.

But there is another ‘frog industry’ which many are getting into – more and more each passing day, in fact. It must be very lucrative.

Yes, people, this is the season of political frogs – the two-legged species. They jump from one party to another, unashamedly giving all kinds of ludicrous reasons or excuses for doing so.

Mind you, their objectives for hopping around like frogs are all very ‘noble’ and ‘honourable’ – all in the name of caring so much for the people and wanting to serve them better. Wow, really!

Post-GE14 has to be the busiest period for political frogs. I have lost count of the total number hopping here and there. In fact, I have stopped keeping track of them. Why should I when they are deemed to be a disgraced, shameless species?

The disease spread by political frogs is very contagious indeed. It started in Peninsular Malaysia with Umno frogs hopping into Bersatu, right after GE14. It then spread to Sabah and created a hell of a mess. 

The latest frog in Sabah is Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Wanita chief and Tandek state assemblyperson Anita Baranting (photo, above), who jumped ship to Warisan on March 6.

Anita had it so good in PBS, elected to the state assembly thrice and also recommended by her party to be an assistant minister. She was also made a full minister in the short-lived Musa Aman cabinet after GE14.

Her reason for leaving – to continue providing development for the people. Really? No other hidden agenda?

We will never be able to comprehend why Anita was prepared to leave her respected long legacy of service to the electorate by becoming a political frog. We can only guess, and public speculation does not normally go in favour of a political frog. Anita could well kiss her fourth term goodbye.

The ‘disease’ has also spread to Sarawak this past week. The local media went overdrive when several well-known politicians crossed over from their parties to the newly-registered Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB). 

Heading the list is Sri Aman MP Masir Kujat (photo, above) who, for some strange reason, suddenly decided to end his ties with Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and fell into the inviting arms of PSB.

When challenged to resign the Sri Aman seat, Kujat responded that he was not the first elected representative to switch parties, as can be seen everywhere in Malaysia where other elected representatives did not resign.

So it’s okay to be a frog because others are also frogs. It’s okay too, to tell the whole world that “I am a frog and I am not ashamed” because many others are also not ashamed at being labelled frogs.

Kujat said he believed PSB would be better at uniting the Dayaks and championing their rights.

Forgive me for being cynical, but it beats me as to how a party, just a few days old and with no proven record, could be better at uniting the Dayaks and championing the rights of the community.

Since Leo Moggie and Daniel Tajem founded Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak in 1984, the Dayaks are still fragmented in all political parties in Sarawak today.

Come on, Kujat. It’s time to get real and to come clean. Don’t talk through your nose! Be more believable.

Already, there is speculation in the local press of a major political crisis brewing in Sarawak. Several other so-called prominent Dayak personalities, or political have been, as some would call them, have also signed up with PSB.

Others who have joined PSB are former Selangau MP Joseph Entulu Belaun, former state assistant minister Sylvester Entri Muran, former Lubok Antu MP William Nyallau Badak and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) acting president Banyi Beriak.

What major political crisis? I do not foresee any. There will always be political frogs who will be looking for opportunities to further their personal and political ambition. It’s the same everywhere.

Party frogging is a disease which is incurable as long as we do not have anti-hopping legislation in place. The Pakatan Harapan government must give this some serious thought.

We loathe political frogs and we have seen enough of them over the past months. This will not be the last of them. More will come our way. And it is sickening!

I believe I’ll be happier enjoying my frog legs porridge for supper tonight at SS2, Petaling Jaya. Anyone care to join me? I promise I’ll talk about frog legs, not these two-legged ‘parasites’.

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com - Mkini