KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has urged the Sabah government to implement the anti-party hopping law in the next state assembly sitting.
Appalled by the series of defections in the state of late, Sabah Muda chief Amos Thien said it was vital to adopt the law, which is already in force at federal level.
Thien lamented that party-hopping had become a norm and was a culture among assemblymen and leaders, resulting in a negative image of Sabah and Sabahans.
"The people have become disgusted and disheartened by the actions of some assemblymen who have switched parties," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 28).
Thien made the call after the latest defection by Petagas assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari who crossed the floor to join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah from Parti Warisan on Monday (Feb 27).
During an event on Sunday (Feb 26), Chief Minister and Gagasan Rakyat president Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said he would discuss the matter at the state Cabinet meeting when asked if Sabah would adopt the anti-hopping law.
Earlier on Tuesday, Gagasan Rakyat information chief Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan did not discount the possibility of more Warisan assemblymen defecting to support his party.
Towards this end, Thien urged the younger generation to reject the culture of party hopping.
He said political parties should also pick their candidates carefully so that they would not jump ship after getting elected.
The Sabah government must also consider equal allocations for assemblymen regardless of their political allegiance, he added.
"This will reduce political instability and turmoil.
"Sabahans deserve to enjoy a stable political situation to enable better economic development instead of being punished by the choices of some individuals during election time," Thien said, urging all political parties to respect the Malaysia Madani spirit.
