DAP ADUN quits DAP, and proclaims himself an independent....Why?

A DAP ADUN quits DAP, and proclaims himself an independent....(or was in pro-BN independent?)

But, what about the constituents that voted for you...or did they vote you because you stood as a DAP candidate? Quitting DAP suddenly, and supporting the BN is wrong without prior consulation and mandate from the voters in the area..But, then these so-called 'peoples' representatives' just do not care...do they? I will tell the people later...and they will understand that it was done for their own good...I do not think so.

"I know the initial response from my constituents won't be good, but I will go to the ground to explain to them that I did this for their good."  -  Malim Nawar state assemblyperson Keshvinder Singh [Malaysiakini, 15/6/2010, Malim Nawar state rep quits DAP, now Independent]

I believe that the best thing an elected rep could do was to resign - and let the people choose again. [But alas...the law says one who resigns cannot re-contest - and this law must be removed...so that a quitting MP/ADUN can go back to the constituents and let the people decide whether they still want the said 'wakil rakyat' despite the fact that he has changed political parties]. 

If not go to the people first....get a referendum going so that the people's opinion could be obtained...and then if the people support the decision to quit DAP and become an independent - do it.

Why did he do what he did? There will be a lot of speculations....but sadly I do not think that we will ever know the truth. Most likely it was 'self-interest' rather that some other factor...as we really are not aware of any other good reason. "...too much politicking in Pakatan..." is really not an excuse...unless more explanation is given.

He said that his decision was in the best interests of his constituents because he believes that only BN can help develop the area, which is largely rural.

Odd - because I do not believe that he is a 'new-comer' to Malaysian politics. It is said that BN MPs/ADUNs get RM1-2 million per year to use for development of their area. This is clearly a discrimination since opposition MPs/ADUNs do not get similar allocations. But why have the Opposition MPs/ADUNs(any one of them) taken the matter to court. I really do not understand. [In Selangor, apparently the Pakatan Rakyat government is similarly giving its own ADUNs but not the other ADUNs]

If the source of the money is the government, then all MPs/ADUNs must get the same treatment and allocations. 

If the source of the money is UMNO (or the BN) - really, it is a question of using 'private funds' . Then, the question must be as to where and how did UMNO (BN) get so rich? Was it because they have been siphoning off public funds directly (or indirectly) into their own party coffers? Anwar Ibrahim and Zaid Ibrahim may be able to provide some of these answers...

Malim Nawar state assemblyperson Keshvinder Singh has quit DAP and declared himself independent, making him the fourth Perak Pakatan Rakyat state assemblyperson to do so since February last year.

His decision to quit DAP and support BN is ironical since he had complained to the authorities last year that he was offered RM20 million to defect, declare himself Independent and express support for BN.

He had claimed that the offers were made by various agents claiming to represent then Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

With the latest defection, Perak Pakatan is now left with 27 seats in the state legislative assembly, while BN has 28 seats and the independents four seats.

In March 2008, Keshvinder won the seat with a majority of 1,362 against MCA's Dr Chai Song Poh.

Keshvinder told reporters that he tendered his resignation to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng this morning, citing too much politicking in Pakatan as his reason for quitting.

He said that his decision was in the best interests of his constituents because he believes that only BN can help develop the area, which is largely rural.

Keshvinder said he chose to defect now instead of February last year - along with Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang), Mohd Osman Jailu (Changkat Jering) and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) - because he didn't know how serious the problems were at his constituency then.

“When I started doing work there (after February 2009) I found that there are severe poverty issues that really need to be solved,” he said.

Keshvinder said he hoped the BN state government will provide financial aid so that he can serve his constituents.

"The state and national DAP did not assist me in helping the people. I couldn't do anything for my constituents as an opposition state assemblyperson," he said, adding that he had been using his own funds thus far.

'I am clean'

However, he admitted that he had yet to meet Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir to discuss details.

“As I am now an Independent state assemblyperson, the state government should allocate some money to my constituency. But if they don't then I will have to tell the people that neither side is looking out for their welfare,” he said.

He also denied suggestions that he was paid to leave DAP and challenged detractors to inspect his bank accounts.

He remained adamant that he has not been approached by any BN members.

“I am clean,” he said.

"I know the initial response from my constituents won't be good, but I will go to the ground to explain to them that I did this for their good."

Unlike those who defected from Pakatan before him, Keshvinder was not accompanied by any major personalities.

However, one of the bodyguards accompanying Keshvinder told Malaysiakini that they work for one 'Hamidah'.

Independents welcome Keshvinder

In an immediate response, the Dewan Rakyat Independent Concensus has welcomed Keshvinder's resignation and said more Pakatan elected representatives will follow suit.

In a statement, the five member group said that they were symphathetic to Keshvinder's disappointment over the lack of support from his Pakatan colleagues.

"It is better for Pakatan to address their weaknesses rather than accusing elected representatives of being bought over by BN," read the statement.

"Such accusations were designed to avoid the real issue - that Pakatan MPs and state assemblypersons were losing faith in the coalition, especially its leader Anwar Ibrahim."

The Independent Concensus consists of MPs Zahrain Mohamed HashimWee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju), Zulkifli Noordin (Kulim Bandar Bharu), Tan Tee Beng (Nibong Tebal) and Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri (Bayan Baru), (Bagan Serai). Malaysiakini, 15/6/2010, Malim Nawar state rep quits DAP, now Independent]