DAP lawmakers have rejected working with Malacca political “frogs” who were involved in bringing down the state government earlier this month.  

Seremban member of Parliament Anthony Loke, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong and party veteran Lim Kit Siang, who is Iskandar Puteri MP, made it clear that the party’s stand was to reject traitors.

“It’s not always about winning. It’s also about principles and yes, especially in politics.

“We cannot entertain the wishes of Malacca’s four assemblypersons led by former chief minister Idris Haron, who are reported to be eyeing to contest the state elections under Pakatan Harapan,” said Santiago in a statement.

He added that the four politicians had defected for their own vested interests, triggering the collapse of the Barisan Nasional-led government.

“And there is no guarantee they won’t jump parties again,” he added.

He said that party defections had undermined the asserted will of the people, including the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan federal government.

“Let these four politicians figure it out for themselves. And let the people decide their political fate,” he said.

Loke, who is also the DAP national organising secretary, said DAP had made clear its position on the matter at the PH presidential council meeting.

“PH must campaign based on our common policies and track record during our 22-month rule in Malacca under the leadership of former chief minister Adly Zahari.

“PH must reject traitors. Period,” he said in a statement.

The Malacca government collapsed after four elected reps pulled their support for the Perikatan/BN state government led by Umno.

The defection on October 4 was led by state Umno strongman Idris (Sungai Udang-BN), with the support of Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor-BN), Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu-Ind) and Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas-PN).

Norhizam and Noor Effandi had previously jumped ship from Pakatan Harapan, leading to the collapse of the PH state government in 2020. Norhizam had contested the 2018 election as a DAP representative.

Malacca is now set to see a state poll on November 20.

Yesterday former PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli warned his party against accepting the four involved in bringing down the Malacca government.

In a Facebook post, the former Pandan MP said these assemblymen were not respected by the public and accepting them would only further erode the people’s confidence.

“The people are already at risk of Covid-19 because of the greed and power struggles among Umno, BN and Perikatan Nasional leaders,” he said. 

“One or two PKR leaders may be eager to seize this opportunity to become a bigger force in Malacca politics but don’t let such eagerness cloud decisions by taking shortcuts,” he added. 

However, PKR vice-president Tian Chua has been reported as saying that PH should work with whoever is capable of helping them achieve victory in Malacca and restore the people’s mandate in 2018.

Loke, meanwhile, brushed aside Tian Chua’s remarks as being his “personal opinion”.

Khoo, meanwhile, said the party was firm in not accepting Norhizam back into DAP.

“The call to reject political traitors is not only based on ethical reasons. Empowering political traitors will have serious implications on the upcoming state government that will be formed after the election. 

“No state government can function effectively if it comprises disloyal figures such as Norhizam and his newfound friends,” he said in a statement. 

He added that the ongoing controversy on the four former state assemblypersons joining PH should be put to rest so that the election can focus on more important issues that affect the people.

DAP veteran Lim also added his views on the situation, saying that the Malacca elections must be clean and honest, with PH’s victory not coming from teaming up with “kleptocrats, opportunists and crooks”. 

“It is for this reason that I am of the view that the four former state assemblymen who had caused the Malacca state election should not be fielded as PH candidates,” he said in a statement. – October 21, 2021.