KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan will file a Private Member’s Bill on the anti-hopping law at the next state assembly sitting, said its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
He said this is needed and allowed in the state sitting, adding that state laws allow the tabling of a Bill to be in tandem with the central government to prevent instability.
“If the state does not want to debate on this Bill, then I will bring it up in the next state assembly sitting,” he said during a breaking of fast programme here on Saturday (April 15).
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Shafie said this when asked about the party’s internal situation, where many assemblymen have left to join other parties and whether they are ready to face the next state elections.
The Semporna MP and Senallang assemblyman said that the party-hoppers show that these people would not stop jumping between parties, and added their actions do not mean that Warisan will continue to fail in the areas these assemblymen left.
Shafie added that party-hoppers are not genuine leaders working for the people, but are individuals chasing positions and wealth.
“We leave it to the people to choose whoever they want to represent them in the government,” Shafie said, adding that he has no problem being in the opposition to serve as a check-and-balance to the Sabah government.
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Warisan won 23 out of the 79 state seats in the 2020 state polls, but is now left with 14 assemblymen following defections, among other reasons.
Earlier, when asked if Warisan was open to working with Umno in the next state elections, he said the option is always open but there has to be sincerity in any cooperation.
He said it was also important that unity among the people is vital in the building of a state and nation, as seen in this current unity government at both the federal and state levels.
On other matters, Shafie said Sabah’s poor infrastructure has to be looked into as billions of ringgit have been allocated to improve the facilities for the rakyat.
