DAP lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh has blasted former opposition lawmakers who have defected to Perikatan Nasional, saying that freeing Malaysia from corruption was far more important than getting government funds.

In a statement directed at Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong, Ramkarpal said it was laughable for Sng to use funds as his reason for party-hopping.

“An amusing argument was raised justifying party hopping in this instance – that government funds are needed to serve the constituency and such funds are not available if one is in the opposition.

“This is laughable. I say so because very few in Pakatan Harapan expected to be in government after GE14.

“It has never been about funds for the constituency but more about the cause of creating a better Malaysia. A Malaysia free from corruption, a Malaysia free from the politics of patronage, a Malaysia free from kleptocrats, amongst others,” said the Tasek Gelugor MP in a statement.

Sng, who this morning left PKR along with Choong to throw their support behind Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, said his reason for leaving PKR was because he needed government funds to help the people in his constituency.

“In my constituency of Julau, the poorest in the country, people are suffering because of the economic impact of the pandemic, loss of jobs and income from low commodity prices.

“I have been unable to serve Julau effectively through lack of much needed development funds. With this move today, I am confident that I will be able to deliver my election promises to my electorate,” said Sng.

Ramkarpal said party-hopping should be outlawed, adding that he will support any government of the day that proposes that idea.

“Party-hopping is anathema to any democracy as it can destabilise any government, more so a fragile one like our current PN government.

“I wonder if the constituents in Julau and Tebrau will ever take their elected representatives seriously again, given that they have abandoned the very principles they preached publicly in the last general elections.

“I have said this many times before and I will say it again. Party-hopping must stop and be outlawed,” he said.

Ramkarpal also referred to Amanah’s Khairuddin A Rahim, Faizul Amri Adnan and Muhamad Said Jonit, who left the party for PKR today.

“It makes no difference that the latter three are still in Pakatan Harapan, neither does it make a difference that the former two have switched alliances.

“Any government of the day that proposes this by way of a constitutional amendment in Parliament will certainly have my vote.

“Else, we will never hear the end of people like Larry Sng and Steven Choong and those of their ilk,” he said. – February 28, 2021.