Party-hopping is for the benefit of the people, says Hamzah

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PETALING JAYA: Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin today defended party-hopping as an acceptable action and that it was made in the interest of the people.

According to a report in Sinar Harian, Hamzah said party-hopping occurs at both the grassroots and leadership levels of parties.

“Even former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad did it. It is for the public’s benefit, not the individual,” he said, adding that party-hopping was a norm and had been happening for years.

Bersatu has not made clear what is the party’s official stance on the anti-party hopping issue but many of its MPs had been reluctant to support the anti-party hopping bill which was deferred on April 11.

Saying “let bygones be bygones”, Hamzah said it was unnecessary to bring up the events of the last three years, a reference to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

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Hamzah draws flak from PH lawmakers for party-hopping remarks

PETALING JAYA: Opposition MPs have poured scorn on Hamzah Zainudin’s claim that party-hopping benefitted the people, with one lawmaker labelling the Bersatu man’s remarks as “ironic”.

DAP’s Charles Santiago told FMT he was not surprised with Hamzah’s stance and wondered if the latter’s party president, Muhyiddin Yassin, agreed with him.

The Klang MP also questioned if Hamzah defended party-hopping because he was planning to jump ship again.

“His claim goes against what the people want – a stable government, especially after the Sheraton Move,” he said, referring to the political realignment involving Bersatu, PAS, Barisan Nasional, and several former PKR MPs that ultimately caused the collapse of the PH-led federal government.

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Party-hopping for public benefit? – Farah Ilyana Mohd Anuar, Simraatraj Kaur Dhillon & Benedict Weerasena

RECENTLY, a statement by a prominent politician claimed that the act of party-hopping is for the public’s benefit, not for the individual politician. It was also added that the act of party-hopping has been a norm for years in the political landscape. 

These claims made by the politician goes against the integrity of our democratic process and undermines the mandate of the people. In fact, the politician failed to explain how the act of party-hopping was in the interest of the people, when it goes against the voters’ trust and has eroded the confidence of the voters towards the democratic process.

The act of party-hopping in the eyes of the people is tied to allegations of money politics or selfish calculations such as for power, position and personal interest – which is certainly not for the public’s benefit.

MPs represent the voice of the people. When voters cast their vote, the candidate becomes the repository of trust for the voters. In a fair democracy, the trust of voters must be preserved and the principle of democracy must be upheld.

Looking back, Malaysian politics have been in turmoil since 2020, and the continuation of this concerning trend poses a serious threat to our democracy. Voted MPs switching political allegiances have considerably contributed to the political upheaval, and Malaysia cannot afford another federal or state government collapse due to party defection.

More instances of party hopping have emerged over the last few years, with the practice reaching new heights following the 14th general election, with as many as 39 MPs switching sides.

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