your say 'If the agreement exists, then DAP should enforce it, and no judge has the right to declare it invalid. If they do, then in future, all agreements signed can be disputed.'

 

DAP plans to sue defectors

Linov20: I support the move 100 percent, but we must also must make them ineligible to participate in politics anymore.

Our Malaysian politicians are really thick skinned. In other countries, once a politician is tarnished with even a slightest scandal, they resign from politics though they continue to work for and serve the people in the background. Our politicians, on the other hand, still can become MPs, Datuks, Tan Sris, etc.

Fairness for all: I do believe that legally, any agreement once signed is binding. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that the reason why an agreement is signed in the first place? Just like pre-nuptial agreements. If any judge declares that the agreement is not valid, then it's very clear that he is an Umno stooge who is defying the law and is not fit to be a judge.

This is actually a very straightforward case. If the agreement exists, then DAP should enforce it, and no judge has the right to declare it invalid. If they do, then in future, all agreements signed can be disputed.

Morning Sun: RM5 million is peanuts. Don't ever let this Keshvinder Singh be your candidate again. He can only enjoy good times with you but not suffer with you when times are bad. If this idiot using BN ticket and won the next election but Pakatan Rakyat formed the government instead.

Akar: DAP, please don't raise the rakyat's expectations. The rakyat is getting fed-up with these political frogs who trade their conscience for money and betray the trust of the rakyat.

If the best legal brains within the DAP think the party has the legal basis to take the elected representatives to court for reneging on their contractual and moral obligations to the party and the rakyat, please do so now. Don't wait until the 13 th general election.

In the good old days before the March 8, 2008 general elections, no elected representative dared to become a frog as the Election Commission (EC) and judiciary would ensure that the frogs will be forced to resign their seat under the letter they signed with the party before accepting nominations to stand for elections.

That letter now has no legal or moral value, thanks to the EC. We need to stop this nonsense with an act of Parliament. Are our politicians ready for that?

Free: Perak DAP chief Ngeh Khoo Ham, sue those frogs who have signed the contracts so that they do not jump so easily. At the same time, make sure there are no legal cost to the voters by having DAP and Pakatan lawyers represent those voters who voted in the frogs in the 12 th general election to show them that Pakatan is serious.

Tell Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak also that if he uses the rakyat's money to buy the frogs, the rakyat also reserve the right to sue the government for using our money.

Malaysian: It is just like a rental agreement - if the tenant creates problems, you have the right to sue because the agreement is binding. It does not matter if the courts rules in your favour or not. If an agreement is broken, it is broken, that's all. The defectors are answerable to the people.

These lawmakers should stop taking the people for a ride. It appears that this is one way to make easy money. Stand for election, then offer yourself to the highest bidder. It is disgraceful.

Prof: If the agreement/contract was mutually agreed upon and duly signed before the 12 th general election, DAP has the legal and moral right to sue them. Go for it, even though the task is too uphill and may face BN's tricks and 'power-that-be'.

Voters vote for the party. No one except a few knew the candidates. If people really voted on the personal attributes of the candidates, he or she will surely would lose their deposits.

Umno/BN supporters are wrong to say that its not right to sue the Malim Nawar state representative. Even if you fail, more people would be more aware of the issue and next time they won't easily vote for that kind of candidate, be he or she from BN or Pakatan.

AkuMelayu: I just can't believe all you Pakatan supporters. You are nothing more than 'sour losers'. Please accept the fact that Pakatan was beaten at its own game.

Remember September 16, 2008, when Anwar Ibrahim enticed BN MPs to join the opposition coalition? All of you clapped and cheered when he promised that he would overturn BN's majority by inviting its MPs to defect to the Pakatan camp? You're all such sour losers.

KLeo: Despite our hatred for defectors, I think it's ethically corrupt to force party state assemblypersons to pay any sum of money, especially not such huge amount as RM5 million. In my view, it amounts to blackmail. DAP has to respect everyone's basic human rights. DAP can't just go around fining anyone who doesn't agree with its policies.

Chee Hoe Siew: I doubt that the agreement will stand. Such contract is similar to those of companies compelling their staff to stay off the industry for a period of time should they resign. The aim is to ensure that the resigned staff will not utilise updated information against them in their new employment.

The counter argument to this is the simple fact that such clauses deprive the persons of their means of earning their livelihood. Such cases are easily thrown out by the court. There is not even the need for BN to flex their muscle on the judges.

Singa Pura Pura: Do you think any of the judges in the civil courts will not hold that such contracts are either illegal ab initio or otherwise ultra vires some written provision of federal constitution?

Isana: Don't waste your time, DAP. Do you think you can get justice in BN's court with Zaki Azmi as chief justice? He was Umno's lawyer.

Firefly: Finally, DAP is trying to make money out of politics. If BN had done the same, Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang would be saying BN is the most corrupt party in the world for making contracts with their elected representatives.

 


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