Putrajaya, 4 February 2009 : Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak shaking hand with Jelapang state assembly, Hee Yit Foong while Behrang state assembly, Jamaluddin (right), Changkat Jering state assembly, Mohd Osman Jailu and Bota assemblyman, Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim's (both behind Datuk Seri Najib ) looks on after Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak announced that three Parti Keadilan Rakyat assemblymen and a DAP representative declared that they have quit their parties. Several political leaders and an academic are crying foul over the manner in which Barisan Nasional had upstaged the Perak Pakatan Rakyat government. Among them is a BN Youth leader.
Below are their comments:
Ngeh Koo Ham (Perak DAP chair)
This is a violation of the democratic process and betrayal to the people. This only shows that BN and Umno would stoop low in using various tactics including accepting the two alleged corrupt assemblypersons to join them.
A dissolution of the state assembly is the rightful democratic process to determine the right of the people. BN assemblypersons should also support the motion for the dissolution of the state assembly if it is tabled.
The DAP challenges BN to a snap elections to resolve the present political turmoil as this episode is a betrayal of the people's rights.
Mahfuz Omar (PAS information chief)
I am surprised with the announcement made by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who recently became the BN Perak chairperson.
BN achieved this majority by taking in two people with dubious backgrounds after they had been charged with corruption
If BN forms the new Perak government, we will have a coalition which is synonymous with corruption. Umno is well known for having problems with corruption and now they are trying to take over the government through corrupt means.
This is a shame for the people of Perak and the Perak royal family.
The Sultan of Perak should not allow this to happen especially after he celebrated his silver jubilee on the throne yesterday. The people would also feel that their right has been betrayed.
The right option is to let the people decide once more by dissolving the state assembly instead of the sultan listening to Najib.
What is needed is a government which is committed and has integrity.
Tian Chua (PKR information chief)
Technically Pakatan is still governing Perak. The Sultan should accept the menteri besar's advice and dissolve the state assembly instead of listening to Najib.
Najib should follow the proper procedure and accept the challenge.
He should wait for the state assembly to be dissolved and see who will take over the state (via elections). He should not use dirty tricks, it is bad for his image as the incoming prime minister.
Lim Si Pin (Gerakan Youth chief)
This is my personal opinion. You are cheating the people as you think the voters are stupid. You are the representative of the people, how can you defect so easily.
This is an abuse of the democratic process. Gerakan is against the party hopping culture and we do not support BN's method of taking control of the Perak government by dubious means.
The Federal Constitution allows representatives the freedom to choose their party but the representatives should consider this more seriously.
With this party hopping culture, how will the voters gain confidence to cast their votes. Change in government should come through the electoral process.
However, it is advisable to wait until the Sultan reaches a decision on the matter.
Lim Teck Ghee (Centre for Policy Initiatives director)
The Perak crisis is perhaps the lowest point in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership record. It casts strong doubts on the principle of political integrity.
This also applies equally to the deputy prime minister. Although Najib made the announcement it is still disputable because BN has their own opinion while Pakatan Rakyat stakeholders have their own opinion.
The best way is to have snap elections to let the people of Perakdecide. I also urge constitutional experts and other important groups to express their views on this issue.
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