MELAKA: Voters in Melaka must exercise their wisdom by using the election to weed out political frogs, says MCA state liaison secretary Datuk Koh Chin Han.
Koh, who is contesting the Bemban seat, said Pakatan Harapan should be punished for fielding candidates who were responsible for the collapse of the state government.
“The political frogs episode must end, and it should start from Melaka,” he told the press here yesterday.
Koh said Pakatan does not practise what it preaches when it stands together with party-hoppers whom it had openly rejected earlier.
“Now its stance has changed. This is a betrayal to the people in Melaka.
“Although the DAP is not happy with its Pakatan allies PKR and Amanah for accepting two former Umno leaders as their candidates, it has to realise that this means it is accepting political frogs.
“DAP may not agree with PKR, but they are together under Pakatan,” he added.
Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, DAP’s election director for the state polls, said voters who are disillusioned over party hopping should not stay home on voting day as that would mean they are just giving up their right to be heard.
“If it is because of anger or frustration against party hoppers, they should all the more come out to support representatives who did not defect from their parties.
“There are still good and competent leaders who are worthy of voters’ support, those who should not be punished with the others,” he said
Khoo also said the Election Commission had measures in place to ensure the electoral process will be in accordance with the standard operating procedure (SOP).
“For example, a voter will go through four to five sanitisation processes from the moment he enters and until he leaves the polling station.
“Also, voters are recommended to arrive at staggered intervals to prevent crowding.
“It would be better if the EC gives more publicity to these SOP so that those who are concerned about Covid-19 will have the confidence to come out to vote,” he added.
Gerakan’s Dhanesh Basil, who is contesting in Asahan under the Perikatan Nasional ticket, said the statutory declarations signed by some party candidates should help reinstate voters’ faith in casting their ballots.
“Although it is not as strong as an Act against party-hopping, it is still something for the party to fall back on, as it would have created some fear among the candidates.
“The public should be informed about this so that they have more assurance to come out to vote.
“I hope they will reconsider their hesitancy,” he said, adding that Melakans should take this opportunity to vote based on the candidates’ capabilities and not the party they represent.
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