Without doubt, there are individuals and groups which oppose Pakatan Rakyat’s idea of forming the federal government via defection. These groups rationalize their opposition by stating the voters elected the current government into power and not the current opposition. That rationale could be deconstructed further: voters’ main factor in voting a candidate into office is his political association and not the political belief or the characteristics of the candidate himself.
Given this, I wonder how the groups view SAPP’s defection from Barisan Nasional. Is it as immoral as Pakatan Rakyat’s idea?
I see no difference between SAPP’s action and Pakatan Rakyat’s proposal. Both violate the rationale of the individuals and groups which oppose formation of government via defection. I therefore expect the individuals and groups to oppose SAPP’s decision to quit Barisan Nasional and still retain the seats which SAPP won on March 8.
I personally do not buy the idea because the fact remains that in the system we live in, we vote individuals into office, not political parties. As a result, there is nothing undemocratic about forming a government via defection. Besides, willing defection is about freedom of association.
