Of Party Defectors And Traitors

---

WHETHER Zahid Hamid had said it or not, many are against the idea of welcoming back Umno defectors. Bad idea, it seems. Reading comments on the social media, 75 per cent or more opposed the move.

If the UMNO president really had said it, he was only referring to those who could bring about benefit and positive changes to the party. Otherwise, just let them rot, according to the comments. Even if they are accepted, they must start from basic, as ordinary members. No offer to reinstate them as division chiefs or any other posts.

If Zahid didn't say it, I still want to remind UMNO office bearers not to consider most of them or all of them. Leaving the party or jumped ship after GE14 defeat is akin to betraying the trust of UMNO members and the constituents.

It was on UMNO platform that made them victors in the last general election. Just because they were not well-treated by the party which they join, plus the thinning support of their respective constituents, they tried to be chummy with UMNO again.

Its their own doing. In some countries, defectors eventually will have to face the firing squad. For UMNO, its time to draw a strict line for this. It has millions of loyalists who deserve better opportunity to advance further in politics. Taking back the defectors would be disaster as many are expected to exit the party.

No, Zahid is not wrong had he uttered it. Many misunderstood him, that's all. He himself despises the defectors. It was only a friendly gesture to them, who are beginning to feel discomfort for being sidelined. And don't blame them, they got their own personal reasons to defect.

Even Dr Mahathir who had said in May 2018 that Umno defectors will not be accepted, finally was made to eat humble pie when he accepted seven UMNO Members of Parliament (MPs) in February this year, a move seen as an effort to strengthen his Bersatu party, which initially had only 13 seats in the Parliament.

PKR which blasted him for doing so, also did the same. Only DAP abstained.

UMNO needs to stay focused on its loyal members, those who really stay with it in thick and thin. The party also needs changes to its approach, especially in preparing for the next general election. With the inauguration of Muafakat Nasional with PAS, MCA, MIC and many NGOs, Sabah and Sarawak are ready to join after Pakatan Harapan government is now losing its balancing act.

What's most dangerous to UMNO now is traitors within. The defectors are well off on the outside but the traitors are eating them up. It leaves UMNO to no choice but to clean up the house from traitors. Maybe it's hard to detect them now but the stink is already in the air...

---