I refer to the Malaysiakini report Anwar says he is moving toward forming a new gov’t .

We elect MPs based on how we feel and we believe in their abilities or on how their parties can better serve us. However, the recent election also saw many of us vote irrationally, by which I mean using their hearts more than their heads. Irrational actions come about when we can no longer trust rational ways to resolve our problems and I think many voters just vented their anger and frustrations against BN. BN must win back these voters through convincing actions instead of assurances alone.

It is rather natural for people to jump ship as winners are always more attractive than losers. Take coffee shops for example. We usually head to the one that is better patronised because we believe the majority cannot be wrong. In so doing, we help compound the impression for others to follow. My question is whether this is correct or morally right?

We put our trust on the election candidates based on the reasons given above. If we had known the election outcome or that the candidates we voted in are going to jump ship, would we have voted as we did? I believe we would have a poor impression of these candidates as ones who have no ethical standard or who are seeking personal gain.

In short, jumping ship after standing and getting elected on a platform is a betrayal of the trust the voters gave, and give a poor impression of the reliability and moral standard of these candidates.

Our election laws do not require a by-election when an elected MP or state assemblyperson decides to change party. I believe the law must be amended. There ought to be a 'no change' period after every election, such as six months to one year, during which an elected politician is not allowed to change parties.

The penalty may be a fine, to being barred from standing for the next election to losing their elected position entirely.

I believe the winning coalition should rule our nation whatever the margin. It is in our constitution which we must respect. But we must allow fair play so that we are not plunged into the turmoil of people reacting irrationally, again.

I believe the state governments must be allowed to perform whichever the coalition that won them. The federal government must be given to BN to prove again that they deserve our votes the next time. Lay people ought not be drawn into emotional political talk that may inflame us into act irrationally.

We all want peace but at the same time, we all need to accept that there are others who can do a better job than us. It is time for people to voice out if they agree to re-endorse candidates who decide to jump ship, especially now that we know of at least one who has indicated his desire to switch. The voters in that locality may demand a by election if they so want and the EC must listen to their voices.