Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan (Warisan) is urging for the anti-hopping law to be tabled as soon as possible in Sabah, following a series of defections by assemblymen from respective parties who have joined Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) in support of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.
Its Secretary General Datuk Loretto J Padua said their actions were unconstitutional even though the anti-hopping law had yet to be passed in the State Legislative Assembly.
“As everyone knows, the Federal Constitution is the main law of Malaysia and any law that is inconsistent with the Federal Constitution is ultra vires.
“Therefore, the Sabah Government must pass this Act in the State Assembly as soon as possible.
“It is understood that it should have been approved in November 2022 but was postponed. Hajji can call a special session at any time because this matter is a core issue involving the Constitution,” he said in a statement, Tuesday. Loretto said it seemed as if the Government was deliberately trying to delay the process.
To date, Warisan has lost 10 Assembly members and now has only 15 members in the 79-seat State Legislative Assembly.
Meanwhile, Sabah Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) urged the State Government to table the anti-party hopping bill at its sitting next month.
Its Chief Amos Thien said party hopping has become a norm and a culture among politicians and leaders in the State.
He said such a trend would cause a negative impact and perception for Sabah and its people.
“The people are now sick and disappointed with the action of assemblymen who have jumped the party.
“Sabah Muda is urging the young not to support nor follow such a trend. Other political parties should choose elected representatives wisely to prevent them from jumping to other parties,” he said in a statement.
Apart from that, Amos also urged the Sabah Government to consider giving fair allocation to all assemblymen, saying such a move would reduce political instability.
“The people of Sabah deserve to see and enjoy stable politics for better economic development, and not be punished for the choices made by elected representatives during election.
“This is the time to work.”
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