The Morality of Crossovers

Whilst it is accepted by most that Pakatan Rakyat's effort in getting BN MPs to crossover is legal and very much within our constitutional framework, people are generally divided over whether it is moral to do so. Many have given their views including yours truly (one of the best arguments I've read for the crossovers is William Leong's piece found in Malaysiakini despite his political affliations) and the latest to jump on the bandwagon is Rev. Wong Kim Kong, the executive adviser of NECF a body which supposedly represents one million evangelical Christians in this country. He made the following statement in the Star today

“Using the back door to form the government is not credible and is an undignified way of creating a governing authority.

“No doubt the personality and individual’s track record are important but voters are also choosing you based on what your party represents, its principles and manifesto,” said Rev Wong.

Should an MP no longer have faith in the party he represented, Rev Wong said the honourable thing to do would be to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the voters.

Incidentally the other person who agrees with Rev. Wong in the same report is the Muslim Consumers’ Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman. That is the same guy who lodged a police report against my MP, Teresa Kok after she was detained under the ISA. He supported the Government's decision to arrest Teresa. Now he talks about morality.

I'm sick and tired of people telling the MPs to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the voters. Don't they know our present law doesn't allow that. Any MP who resigns will be barred from contesting for a period of 5 years (if I'm not mistaken).

Rev. Wong, we have enough of MPs and State Assemblypersons who fear their own Party Whip more than they fear God. We have enough of those who dare not vote according to their conscience and to do what is right and just. But they tell us they do agonised over their decision and cry on their knees in the comfort of their own home. Thank God some of these Christian MPs and ADUNs got booted out on 8/03.

I think it has come to a point where it is untenable for a Christian MP to remain in the BN so as to perpetuate the UMNO led Government. Is perpetuating a morally bankrupt government a Christian virtue, Rev. Wong?

Rev Wong, did you or NECF protest and say it was immoral when BN engineered the crossovers of ADUNs in Sabah in 1994 leading to the collapse of the PBS government?

Lastly Rev. Wong, didn't I hear something about the 'using the back door' recently. Ah yes, now I remember. Chandra Muzaffar has also slammed Anwar for using the back door way. Seems like you are in good company.