Hannah Yeoh of Pakatan Rakyat tried to defend Anwar and said Pakatan makes no apologies for the Sept 16 attempt.

I think she is wrong and she has clouded the issue.  I dont know if she did it intentionally. I hope she isnt one of those dishonest politicians who make an argument knowing full well it is either a weak or even wrong one, but makes it anyway because she is either a thick skinned politician or thinks she can hoodwink her audience.

The issue is inducing an elected representative to switch political allegiance. That is a betrayal of the voter, pure and simple. When I vote for someone, I do so on the basis of that person as well as the political party that person represents. When that representative switches political parties, he or she has betrayed me and short changed me.

Anwar’s harping of Sept 16 was based on his actions of inducing elected representatives to switch from being BN reps to PR ones. No context can right this wrong principle. If it was wrong for Najib, it is wrong for Anwar. Hey, if my memory serves me right, Anwar is an old hand in this game. Maybe this time UMNO money simply out-muscled him. Anwar no longer has the money to dish out like he used to when he was in BN. The old method which he used so well is no longer effective with PR but that didnt stop him trying and it remains as wrong as it was. It is wrong no matter who tries it. One wont think much of Najib doing it. After all, you’d expect a pig to roll in mud. With Anwar however, it is just a tad disappointing. Talks of building a better Malaysia surely must at some stage give thoughts to altruism and principles?

Dont make Anwar out to be a constitution defender – he would have moved more forecfully and decisively had he got the right numbers. No, I think not many would think Anwar’s failure on Sept 16 was out of some adherence to constitutional rule and principles.  I’m afraid you clouded the issue, Hannah.