YOURSAY | ‘They must stay as independent MPs for a significant period first.’

Anifah: I quit because Umno, BN couldn't keep MA63 promise

Jasmine: Are these resignations because of genuine disagreement over Umno’s recent manoeuvres and disillusionment with the poor quality of leadership, or is it one of an opportune moment for a convenient exit citing flimsy reasons?

Regardless, between former ministers and Umno supreme council members Anifah Aman and Mustapa Mohamed, the latter has more credibility to his name and conduct. There will be more to come, for certain.

But whichever party in Pakatan Harapan accepts these MPs into its fold - if and when it decides to do so - should be wary of the future ramifications. Minimum conditions should probably be set, such as time limitations to vie for party positions and asset declaration.

The goal of achieving a two-thirds majority in Parliament shouldn’t blind Harapan to long-term possibilities of ex-Umno members flooding Bersatu and PKR especially. Then it will not even be new wine in an old bottle, but rather, termites eating their way into decaying structures.

Lionking: With the abandoning of the mice from a sinking ship, we must not lose sight of Umno, MIC, MCA and the other parties who were members of the previous government.

They are fully responsible for landing Malaysia in a precarious state. None of these people did anything and probably were on the gravy train.

We need to ask ourselves, “Would these politicians have done anything if BN was in power after the 14th general election?” The answer is a big no. Umno would have continued chanting the mantra of race and religion.

Would these politicians have had the guts to object or resign? The present government is spoilt with so many qualified people that none of the members of Umno or other BN parties is required.

Next question is, are these politicians clean, or did they have no knowledge of what was happening?

Anonymous_1535762813: The ones who quit Umno in recent days and weeks and in the future should not be let into Harapan for a period of at least two years. They must stay as independent MPs for a significant period first.

P Dev Anand Pillai: There may be a move to try coming into Bersatu, PKR and DAP as Trojan horses and then spring a surprise. Who knows what they are capable of?

It is always we the people who are constantly being cheated and made fools of.

Wsoi: Whether they quit or not, don’t trust these politicians. They are all opportunists. If not, they would have quit earlier like then Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal.

They have to pay the price for not speaking up on the wrongdoings of the government, that brought enormous damage to the nation.

Zahid chides those ditching Umno as it faces test

Lkkeong2: Brand loyalty or, more aptly in this case, blind “party loyalty” is clearly not the reason here.

Umno has failed to perform. BN is a disaster and has disintegrated. Umno goes against its own principle by mingling with its old enemy just to get votes. Worse still, Umno has still failed to grow and still focuses on a particular race.

Don’t blame Mustapa or Anifah. They’re just doing what a sane person would do.

Anonymous_1371488694: They would not have left if you did the right thing - the party needs a total revamp.

This is still the old party beholden to “cash is king”. If you do not reject and denounce what was obviously wrong in the past, how do you revive?

Mosquitobrain: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, stand up and look far.

Mustapa and Anifah have no personal agenda against the party. Both of them have actually seen the weakness in you. You've not done anything to reinvent Umno except to get too close for comfort with PAS.

Prior to GE14, Umno with the billions of “donation” ringgit, called the shots. Very soon, PAS with its petrol ringgit from Terengganu will call the shots. Umno has to rely on and “kowtow” to PAS!

LoveMalaysia2: Umno’s refusal to condemn those who have brought the party into disrepute and its desperate attempt to form a new alliance with PAS has condemned it. Total lack of accountability or integrity.

Che: Look who’s talking. Aren’t you the one who was Anwar Ibrahim’s “loyal sidekick” against Dr Mahathir Mohamad and then just as quickly abandoned him when you knew that Anwar was going to lose? Then you worked your way up through the two prime ministers to where you are today.

The fact is that you could never have reached the top based on your own talent. You never had any.

This is shown by the fact that you are now Umno president in name only. That “has-been” Najib has overshadowed you a thousand times even though he has no position in Umno.

In addition, if you are really good as Umno president, you should be able to persuade/inspire these Umno leaders to stay with you and the party. That’s your job, rather than now bemoaning their disloyalties.

Oxymoronictendencies: As the Umno leadership reflects “more of the same”, with seemingly the sole objective of protecting themselves from their own past misdeeds, it’s a big ask to expect anyone to put their faith and trust in that cabal and clique.

Gerard Lourdesamy: Islam does not demand loyalty to thieves, robbers and kleptocrats.

What sort of religion would protect corruption and abuse of power when the victims are Muslims themselves?

Umno and PAS are a disgrace to Islam. Loyalty does not mean closing an eye to crimes. They are in it for political reasons and not for the glory of Islam.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.