Not good to switch sides, say BN leaders

(The Star) – MPs and assemblyman should not switch parties because it goes against the mandate given by the people, said several Barisan Nasional leaders.

The focus, they said, should be on tackling current economic challenges and not jumping sides in the political arena.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said people should not react on hearsay that more would jump ship following the defection of Umno’s Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim to PKR.

“There is a lot of speculation whenever there is any move as people will say: ‘Ah, there you are, that’s the beginning’.

“But I will like to reiterate that responsible partisans should not react or act on hearsay,” he said at the MCA Chinese New Year open house at Wisma MCA here Monday.

On Nasarudin’s defection, Ong said: “There must be reasons behind it.”

“But of course that is his choice,” he said, adding that the MCA would continue to stand with the Barisan even during challenging times, especially with the global economic crisis.

“All this while we have been holding on to our principles. We have been endeavouring enough and the (Kuala Terengganu) by-election campaign is by itself the best testimony,” he added.

Just as surprised by Nasarudin’s decision to move to PKR, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the people’s mandate must be respected.

“I do not agree with the act of switching parties, especially during these challenging times. What will happen if people kept switching parties? It will contribute to instability.