He said the rules were clear and Pakatan Harapan should be dictated by the people who voted its candidates in.
“On May 9, Malaysians cast their votes overwhelmingly for Pakatan Harapan candidates, believing we will implement the promised reforms and deliver good governance.
“They did not just reject Barisan Nasional candidates but also the corruption, greed for power, money politics and deeply-sown injustice that’s intrinsic in their style of governance.
“As such, even deliberating to accept those who have shown interest in joining Pakatan Harapan is an act of betrayal to the rakyat,” he said in a statement.
Santiago said those keen to jump ship had vested interests for their own political mileage — “the ingrained ‘virtue’ that nauseates the people who voted us in”.
Santiago also mentioned the alleged meeting between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Sarawak Governor Mahmud Taib.
He said those in the PH government must not forget that Taib had allegedly amassed a lot of wealth during his tenure as the former chief minister of Sarawak.
“This is not about obtaining a bigger majority but having the grace and wisdom to allow Barisan Nasional to rule in states where they have a clear mandate,” he added.
He quoted the late DAP leader Karpal Singh who once said: “Truly there are no permanent friends nor enemies in politics, only permanent principles.”
“A formidable opposition is crucial to keep a check and balance on the government.
“We at Pakatan Harapan don’t have the luxury of seeking forgiveness from the people after screwing up.
“Case in point is the Johor menteri besar who has proudly announced that he plans to continue Barisan Nasional’s policy of not providing allocations for state opposition leaders.
“Honestly, is this what the rakyat expects from us? To govern the same way as the former government?” he said.
“Or the public spat due to dissatisfaction with Cabinet appointments?” he added, referring to PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli expressing unhappiness over the announcement of three important Cabinet posts by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad earlier.
“We are now the government. And it’s imminent that we behave like one and remain accountable to the people.
“We need to always remember this: they voted us in and they can always vote us out.”
PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin said he had communicated with Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian and asked him to change his stand on not providing funding for opposition assemblymen.
Such funds are necessary for minor projects and to run service centres to serve the people.
“As a government which cares and understands the people’s problems, the Pakatan Harapan government must consider the interests of all people, regardless of political ideology,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.