Govt MPs crossing to PN unlikely

It is not necessary for all men to be great in action. The greatest and sublimest power is often simple patience. – Horace Bushnell, American theologian

If I were a government MP today, the last thing I would do is to cross over to the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN).

I would be the dumbest politician to do that when I am already enjoying the perks and allocations as a lawmaker with the unity government.

While opposition MPs are crossing over to support the Madani government, why should any government MP abandon ship for a more uncomfortable and difficult life in the opposition. 

Seriously, there is nothing “attractive” at all in the PN, with one partner made up of known radicalised religious fanatics and the other, comprising corrupt turncoats and traitors.  

So far, five Bersatu MPs had declared their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Madani government, the latest being Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal. 

He joined four other rogue Bersatu legislators – Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), and Zahari Kechik (Jeli).

So, it was rather surprising, if not shocking, to hear Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof stated recently that 10 government MPs will switch their support to PN.

I doubt that will happen; it is unlikely for any PH/BN lawmakers to cross over or even to switch support. There is nothing PN could possibly offer government MPs to induce them to do so.

And what reason did Redzuan proffer for this switching of support – due to disappointment over the coalition government being “led by DAP”.

Seriously, I wish Redzuan would think of something new than coming up with the same “anti-DAP, anti-Chinese” tale. As usual, Bersatu people have nothing else to say except to play up racial sentiments. Their target must surely be the Malay/Bumiputra MPs in PH/BN. 

Their storyline is the same. Why must the federal government be under the dictate of the Chinese DAP when the Malays/Bumiputras are the majority? Harping on such racial tones is just sickening, if you ask me.

I think it is also interesting to know who this Mohd Redzuan fellow is. He is a Malacca-born businessman with almost zero experience in politics.

He contested the Alor Gajah seat in his electoral debut in 2018 and was appointed Entrepreneur Development Minister by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

I met Mohd Redzuan for the first and only time in late 2018 when he was the guest-of-honour at a book launch held in the home of former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim in Petaling Jaya. He struck me as a dull, colourless and unimpressive politician.

He must really thank his lucky stars that he was appointed a minister after his maiden electoral victory. However, his career went downhill soon after – not something unexpected for a mere “follower” in politics.

He lost Alor Gajah on his next contest in 2022 to a candidate from Amanah – the smallest PH partner. I’m not surprised to hear those in the political wilderness releasing  silly and ludicrous statements, perhaps in their desperation to get noticed again.  

I find Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi’s response to Redzuan’s foolish statement most fittingly appropriate, even when laced with sarcasm.

“Redzuan claims that maybe 10 government MPs will shift their support to PN. That is indeed a surprise. But that will only happen if the ‘flying car’ that was planned by Redzuan could actually fly.

“As long as the flying car is impossible to fly, then the first ‘batch’ of 10 people flying to PN is also impossible,” said Puad in a post on Facebook, referring to an announcement that Redzuan made while serving as entrepreneur development minister.

Wow, I think Redzuan deserves to be poured over with cold water by the Umno veteran. 

On record, I have stated many times that I have zero respect for turncoats and traitors, particularly those who participated in the Sheraton putsch of 2020. Redzuan was one of the Bersatu MPs who betrayed and brought down the democratically elected PH government.

With not much prospects in his political career today, except to see PN in power, Redzuan, like many of his impatient and restless colleagues in Bersatu, will do anything to see to the collapse of the Madani government.

It’s obvious that Redzuan’s statement suggesting that 10 government MPs will switch their support to PN is a move to “test the water”, but one that will yield nothing positive for Redzuan and Bersatu.

My message to fellow voters today is this: Let us bear in mind that consistency in principles builds trust, and politicians who frequently switch sides may face challenges in gaining credibility.

If the turncoat’s switch appears to be driven by personal gain or opportunism, we must hold them accountable by rejecting them outright at the polls. 

Be not mistaken. Bersatu is indeed a party of turncoats and traitors and we must vote them out at the ballot box.

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.