BUTTERWORTH – A Bersatu MP who leapfrogged from Umno has vehemently refuted the labelling of party-hopping legislators as traitors, saying such elected representatives may have their own legitimate and valid reasons for doing so.
Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya, who is Penang Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, said it was absolutely wrong to accuse him and those of his ilk of betraying voters and their original parties.
He said political situations are changing every day and a politician can choose a new platform that suits his aspirations and goals according to the latest status of his party.
“Generally there are allegations that MPs who cross over get ‘compensation’ from the new party or are facing court cases, or are under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), but this could be a perception and without any basis.
“The affected MP could decide at some point to join another party as he may feel that the party he was with had failed to uphold his aspirations and those of the people,” he said.
“Or he may feel that the other party that runs the government needs to be strengthened in Parliament for its policies and strategies for the people.”
Shahbudin, who was made a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department after PN took power in Putrajaya a year ago, said this at his service centre in Pokok Sena near here after overseeing the distribution of grocery items to 10,000 needy families in the Tasek Gelugor constituency today.
Shabudin had won the seat in the last general election in May 2018 on an Umno ticket, but switched to Bersatu in February 2020.
He said he was also vilified as a traitor when he crossed over to Bersatu, with political adversaries going as far as to distribute his photo with the head of a pig.
“I did not bother, as I did not betray my constituents and the voters in my constituency,” he said.
“I continue to serve people and provide aid, including medical equipment, food items, settling bills, and other forms of help,” he said.
Shabudin added that any allegation that a party hopper had acted due to either intimidation or reward must have basis and be accompanied by evidence.
Some of these attacks continue despite the authorities such as MACC not finding any trace of wrongdoing.
Shabudin also said that one might construe such personal motives if only a single MP were to cross parties, but there must be more to it when several lawmakers are switching over.
The recent spate of defections over the past month have included PKR’s Kuala Langat MP Xavier Jayakumar, Julau MP Larry Sng, and Tebrau MP Steven Choong. All three declared themselves as independents supportive of the PN federal government.
Meanwhile, Warisan’s Sebatik state assemblyman Hassan A. Gani Pg Amir also became an independent friendly to Sabah ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah alliance, which is led by Bersatu’s Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is the chief minister. – The Vibes, March 20, 2021
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