CIVIL societies have warned the ruling Pakatan Harapan pact against accepting political crossovers from elected Barisan Nasional representatives, saying that such deeds betrayed the people’s trust.

Barely days after the historic fall of the BN government in Putrajaya on May 9, several BN elected representatives have abandoned ship to support PH, led by its chairman and two-time Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Crossovers have already been reported in former BN-controlled states like Johor, Perak, and Sabah. In Sabah, party-hopping had led to the capture of the state by PH.

Civil society group Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) said in a statement today that it viewed this political crossover phenomenon with “much concern and apprehension”.

“The rakyat gave PH the mandate to rule because they wanted a clean break from the past.

“GBM considers the unconditional acceptance of these crossover MPs and assemblymen to the PH ranks as a betrayal of the rakyat’s trust,” it said.

The group said civil societies welcomed a “competitive multi-party competition in future elections rather than a monopoly by a single coalition”, adding that a strong and credible opposition was also needed to keep a check on the political process and the rule of law.

“The new administration should not disenfranchise these voters by accepting crossovers from BN, or by denying funding to BN constituencies.

“GBM urges the PH leadership to take heed of the rakyat’s concern of this unhealthy crossover culture. We look forward to the new political stewardship of PH protecting and flourishing the authentic values and spirit of democracy in Malaysia.”

National PKR Youth assistant secretary Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman also warned the ruling coalition to be careful of the party-hopping syndrome, which he said was rife among Umno and BN elected representatives.

He said Umno and BN had been in power for over 60 years and the sudden loss of power was foreign to them, so choosing to hop to another party to find comfort in PH would be the easiest solution they can think of.

“The people had already chosen and decided on their respective representatives in the elections. The mandate must be respected and not betrayed.”

Syed Badli said if PH was to accept such defectors, there had to be a process to filter them, instead of easily accepting them.

“We should strengthen the PH government for the people, who have spoken and rejected the BN regime.

“Let PH not become the place to resurrect a regime rejected by the people.” – May 15, 2018.