We didn't purposely delay anti-party hopping Bill, says Sabah CM

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government did not purposely delay the tabling of the anti-party hopping Bill, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

The Sabah Chief Minister said contrary to what the Opposition was saying, the state government was actually making sure that all procedures were complied with before they could bring the Bill for tabling.

He said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led state government will table the anti-hop law at the four-day state assembly sitting beginning Monday (May 22).

“Contrary to allegations by the Opposition, the state government has not purposely delayed the tabling of the Bill to curb state elected representatives from switching sides,” said Hajiji.

“The anti-hop law involves amending the state constitution and this requires approval from the Head of State and King before it can be tabled in the state legislative assembly,” he said in his opening remarks at the pre-council meeting on Sunday (May 21).

"So, it is not true that we are purposely delaying it. We have to comply with procedures," he said.

The Chief Minister said the State Constitution Amendment Bill needs a two-third majority in the state assembly in order to be passed.

Hajiji is confident that the Bill will get the full support from GRS and Pakatan Harapan members.

"I also urge the Opposition representatives to support the Bill, since they have also advocated for the anti-hop law to be passed in Sabah," he said.

The State Constitution Amendment Bill is among four Bills to be tabled in the first meeting of the fourth term of the state assembly from May 22 to May 25.

After the pre-council meeting, the Chief Minister attended Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations hosted by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) at the Hakka Hall and Parti Solidariti Sabah (Star) at Raia Hotel.