There are events that occur that at the time are widely lauded or viled upon by many but in time will be looked back & seen differently.
I believe that the Sheraton move will be one of those events that can be considered as a former.
I won't go into a detailed description about the Sheraton move other than the fact that it it can be considered a consolidation of the majority of the Malay block throughout the political spectrum or from all sides that brought about the first toppling of an elected Malaysian Government for the first time in the country's history.
But before I go on let me provide some context.
Party hopping may not be something that is new to other countries & it surely isn't new here to. In fact to me, party hopping in this country is taken to the next level in my view, it is so widespread and occurs so regularly that it's made Malaysia politics quite a sad joke.
& it can just happen it seems based on whatever reasons that the politician just thought or made up at the moment to justify their move, most of the time it's like over reasons which just seems dumb or gives the impression that these politicians are kids & self serving, when in truth it's probably to stay in power or gain power & most likely with promises of positions, deals & bucket loads of cash involved.
In this country states have changed sides a number of times in history because of this common occurrence. Right fully elected state governments have fallen because of sudden party hopping based on what was mentioned in the para prior. Normally occuring for the benefit of one side of the political divide which has continuously held power for over some 60 years up till 2018 & never the other, well not until 2018 when powers changed hands for the first time that is, which just entrenched my belief that party hopping does not really happen due mainly to some major disagreement internally about policies or stances (well maybe it contributes somewhat) that are the reasons given but it is mainly if not always albeit not mentioned about power, position, money.
It has over time shaped my view that Malaysia politics is not in matured state, it's wishy washy in terms of many politicians & politics in general, changing sides wherever the wind blows in favour.
Now, don't get me wrong or take it personally when I call Malaysian politics immature due to this, but you should, even though party hopping, changing sides, quitting parties happen & not only here in Malaysia, it happens at such a regularity & over whatever reasons far to often it's a joke.
I mean it does happen abroad too, but it's normally over a major political stance, position, issue & it's not a regular thing, surely if rarely in a matured political environment does it happen for the reasons it happens here. Outside it could be a person or two & they would normally quit or go independent, never joining the other side as well over beliefs or policy positions held for instance, here in addition to the reasons stated, it's like "let's move in block" or a move to quit & go independent can be read as joining the other side in the near future.
I have become disheartened with politics in general after I realized that even in a matured political environment, it is rarely about serving others but themselves & that a political divide of normally 2 sides are just 2 different branches of the same apple, we think we are being given a choice but it's merely an illusion of choice, for they are mosy all the same, on the same boat, just in different wolf clothing.
When it comes to Malaysian politics it's even more sad to me, more dangerous it seems, it's amateur politics in comparison, it's more childish, more like those in power can do as they will & less power in the hands of the people & less accountability & responsibility towards the people, but with the same level of greed for money & power.
Oh yeah, Sheraton, I nearly forgot, what makes the event an upgrade over the usual change of sides that normally occurs is not that there were mass change of sides, to topple a government (even though it's a major issue & a first time), but how blatantly transparent it was towards ensuring that the old ways of divide & conquer over religion & racial lines prevail, how greed overrides the need for change & improve, or the lack of political will to do what is needed.
I've voted for both sides in the past, my loyalty stands with none, I vote based on my conscience, not loyalty to party or politicians which they would demand & which they have equated to as being the same to loyalty & responsibility to country & the people they represent when either is in power, that is bullshit when they themselves have no loyalty but to themselves. Fuck them. I vote or don't is on me, my evaluation based on impartiality, on facts & information, being kept informed, trying to differentiate truth from lies & propaganda, for what I believe is best.