Can the Perak trio justify their actions
But after the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election results are known tomorrow, the three will still be known as the ones that brought down a democratically elected and popular government.
The Malaysian Insider
Some 48 hours before three by-elections across Malaysia, the three lawmakers who brought down the Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak came out with their side of the story.
It was a tale of internal party strife, petty issues and the need to get more for their constituents. The last reason had a tinge of irony as they were not only part of the state government but held senior posts in Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin's administration.
They hastened to add the fact that they are still independents and have yet to cross to any party across the aisle although Jamaluddin Radzi and Osman Jailu have been campaigning for the Barisan Nasional which took over Perak early February.
Both are also facing corruption charges and have failed to show up for their last hearing, feigning illness. Their court hearing has been postponed to a further date.
Osman, whose constituency lies with the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat, even lied to the court by claiming to have been admitted to the KL Hospital for chest pains, only to be later seen puffing away outside the courthouse.
Former deputy state speaker Hee Yit Foong disappeared after expressing support for the Barisan Nasional in Putrajaya with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is now prime minister. She claimed party problems forced her out and dispelled notions of hiding, saying she had a vacation in Hong Kong.
"When other people leave their party it is no big deal, but when I did, the people were in chaos. But I understand the people's dissatisfaction and I don't blame them," the Jelapang assembywoman said yesterday without regard of her actions that ousted the Pakatan Rakyat.
Like Hee, the other two were almost as nonchalant about their actions or their justifications. Even in not answering calls from party leaders. "I respect Datuk Seri Anwar, but I did not want to offend him, so I did not answer his calls," Jamaluddin said when PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tried to contact him.
"My priority is my voters, if Pakatan Rakyat cannot help my voters why should I continue supporting them," said Osman, who has now been accused of putting his second wife in a state tourism firm.
All said and done, they have come up with their excuses and resurfaced in time for their stories to get some play ahead of the by-elections, particularly Bukit Gantang which the opposition have called a referendum of the Barisan Nasional takeover of Perak.
Unfortunately, Malaysian election laws do not allow them to resign and stand for elections again to test their popularity and reasons for switching support to Barisan Nasional.
So, it will be up to the Bukit Gantang voters to decide, among others, if the trio had an attack of conscience that pushed them to jump ship or are just self-serving lawmakers who took their opportunities well and made a government croak.
But after the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election results are known tomorrow, the three will still be known as the ones that brought down a democratically elected and popular government.
And nothing they ever do can change that.
