Saturday, May 17, 2008
Law stopping MPs from switching parties unnecessary – Nik Aziz
KOTA BHARU, May 15 (ES) – The Islamic Party of Malaysia's (PAS) spiritual advisor Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was of the opinion that there shouldn't be any special law enacted to prohibit MPs from switching parties.
He added that it was the right of the MPs.
"Even though laws are formulated to prevent members of parliament or state assemblymen from switching parties, it can still happen," he said this after chairing the state executive council (Exco) meeting at Kota Darulnaim May 14.
According to him, the Kelantan state government in the early 1990s had already enacted a law to stop assemblymen from switching parties, an assemblyman from Parti Semangat 46 still managed to do so.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Dato' Zaid Ibrahim had earlier proposed that a law be drafted to prevent MPs from switching parties to safeguard the public interest.
The issue gained prominence after the Barisan Nasional lost its two-thirds majority in parliament.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, also said that drafting a law to prevent party switching merely fulfills Umno's interest rather and not to strengthen the democracy.
Nik Abdul Aziz also added that he would like to welcome MPs from Umno or Muslim MPs from other BN component parties to join PAS.
"However if they feel reluctant to join PAS, they are always welcomed to join the other parties in Pakatan Rakyat. That is their right, and it is up to them to exercise it," he added.
When asked on Pasir Mas MP, Dato' Ibrahim Ali wish to join party that suits his political struggle, he said that the former Umno leader from Pasir Mas is most welcomed if he wishes to join PAS.
Ibrahim met the Kelantan mentri besar at his office in Kota Darulnaim last week. It was after that meeting that Ibrahim announced his intention to join a political party soon. – rfa/ES
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