Who're we with? wonders the 3 running dogs

Amongst other things, the Perak trio have either been hailed as heroes, reviled as traitors, known as political frogs but now still remain independents.

Why aren't Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang), Osman Jailu (Changkat Jering) and Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) — the three defectors — members of any Barisan Nasional component parties? Why are they still independents after causing the Pakatan Rakyat government to stutter, stumble and fall?

Simple.

Umno cannot be seen to be taking in two lawmakers who have been charged with corruption. That will truly confirm the Malay nationalist party as corrupt.

As it is, the party is already facing an uphill task battling the public perception that it is corrupt and beyond redemption. Enticing both Jamaluddin and Osman to jump ship has hardened that taint in people's minds.

As for Hee, she should be a prize that both the MCA and Gerakan would like to have in their battle for more seats in Perak and their national upmanship game to represent the Chinese within Barisan Nasional.

However, while they are the obvious parties for her to join, both fear the growing backlash from the Chinese community for taking in a "running dog" unlike in the past when the MCA and Gerakan gladly accepted defectors from the DAP.

But by contributing to the collapse of the popular Pakatan Rakyat government, Hee has become the most hated person among the Chinese and other Malaysians today, not just in the Kinta Valley but across the entire country.

The MCA and Gerakan do not want her. Pure and simple.

"Political suicide for us to take her", was what both MCA and Gerakan leaders say privately.
The current situation puts the trio in no-man's land. Independents and untouchables and without the official support of any political parties. One side hates them while the other side fears the public reaction to accepting them.

So while the Perak Barisan Nasional government publicly invites more Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers to cross the aisle and contribute to a unity government, rest assured none can and will join any Barisan Nasional component parties for a while.

In fact, those who did might not even be able to stand in the next general election if the ugly mood over their defections persists. Which makes you wonder why they even jumped in the first place?