As reported in the media, a number of UMNO figures, including Members of Parliament, have left or are allegedly planning to leave their party with the apparent view of joining Pakatan Harapan.
While their freedom of association must to be respected, including for legislators to change their alliegances, it is also important that the choice of the Malaysian voters during the last General Elections be protected.
Indiscriminately accepting defectors makes a mockery of the electoral process and will erode the credibility of our democracy.
Pakatan Harapan has the numbers to govern in Parliament. Any issue that requires a two-thirds majority only ought to be attempted via bipartisan efforts involving both the government and Opposition.
As such, I hope that no political figure from the opposition will be accepted into any Pakatan Harapan component party without the consensus and consent of its leadership, through the Presidential Council.
Also, any unjust marginalisation of opposition legislators and supporters must cease. Malaysians must be confident that we will not only be a new government, but also govern in a new manner. We need a strong Opposition to prevent past tragedies from repeating itself.
NIK NAZMI NIK AHMAD
KEADILAN CENTRAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBER
SETIAWANGSA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
