“People like him don’t have any political consciousness…he was chosen by running under BN, not as an independent, DAP, PKR, or PAS candidate.
“He has betrayed the voters’ trust…if I was from Perak, I would start gathering the support of NGOs and village chiefs to pressure him to step down.”
DATUK Seri Dr Rais Yatim, an Umno supreme council member, in response to news that Bota state assemblyperson Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim had resigned from Umno and joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). (Source: Adun Bota perlu letak jawatan, Berita Harian, 28 Jan 2009)
“It is not that we fear more will leave the BN, but what is important is the question of principle.”
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, an Umno vice-president, when expressing support for the proposal to introduce a law against party-hopping. (Source: Muhyiddin supports anti-hop law, Bernama, 30 Jan 2009)
“I did not abandon Umno then (when Badawi was without a party position) as I truly value the party. His act is that of a weak person. It was a clear example of weakness.”
Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, when asked to comment on Nasaruddin’s defection to PKR. (Source: Bota assemblyman’s defection is act of weakness: PM, New Straits Times, 29 Jan 2009)
“God willing, it will be true…They want to join because they are confident of Umno’s struggle, so we will accept them…Whoever wants to join Umno is welcome to do so.”
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in welcoming rife speculation that the PKR assemblypersons for Changkat Jering and Behrang would hop over to Umno. (Source: “Defection” drama in Perak, New Straits Times, 2 Feb 2009) 
Lau Weng San says
What hypocrites they are when the Bota assemblyman jumps back to Umno?
Dare they say the same thing again when the Bota Adun has returned to Umno in only one week?
Pak Zed says
Now it is OK cos they are joining BN? A leader is a leader if they do what they say. If they have any semblance of integrity they should resign from this government.
Eskay says
Any politician, a parliamentarian or assemblymen who is unprincipled, weak, treacherous or corrupt are welcome.
As long as they hop into Umno/Barisan, it’s no problem.
Welcome into the party of “Apa pun boleh!”
CMK says
Lompat si katak lompat, lompat tinggi-tinggi… di mana ada serangga, ke mana dia pergi!
Marls says
In light of many today sourcing for and adopting effective cost reduction measures, I must profess my deep gratitude for key learnings gained from observing the latest political practices in Malaysia.
Yes, I have decided to cancel the 23 drama channels from my cable TV package. Huge cost savings, this move! By tuning in to M’sian politics — from the viewpoint of BN reps/supporters, of course — I now enjoy free “dramatic” entertainment and get to be enlightened with innovative business strategies.
I think the latest developments in Perak are a stroke of brilliance on two fronts:
i. Politically, it’s an incredibly creative strategy by “former” PKR candidates to source for additional funding for their constituencies. Yes, by hopping over to BN, they can look forward to obtaining hugely generous financial incentives which I am sure they will altruistically share with the people who trusted them and voted them into “power”
ii. If I read the script above wrong, I am still grateful because we now have been exposed to a new business opportunity.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to great financial success:
a. Stand for elections under the PKR ticket
b. Sign a hop-over form to BN but don’t date it
c. Disappear for 24 hours, at least when you know PKR heads want to speak to you once those signed hop-over form/s mysteriously surface in public
d. Return from your temporary leave of absence to say you’re now an Independent
e. Then attend a press conference with any super senior BN rep and allow your photo to be taken together stating that as an Independent, you support BN
f. Collect RM50 mil or so for smooth execution of this innovative business model
g. Never work another day for the rest of your life and enjoy teh tarik in the fanciest hotels you can find.
Malaysia Boleh!
FSLAM says
What did Badawi and Najib comment when told that BN MP’s were jumping ship then?
“These were a bunch of unprincipled elected representatives who betray the trust of the people who elected them!”
Now turn the clock to the present. What is Abdullah’s comment on these three state reps?
“God willing , it will be true …They want to join because they are confident of Umno’s struggle, so we will accept them… Whoever wants to join Umno is welcome to do so. ”
Why this flip flop belief and how can principles change so suddenly over a period of one month for a man who is the country’s number one?