Warisan Plus to pursue anti-hop law implementation

KOTA KINABALU: Warisan Plus would hold further talks of implementing anti-hopping laws in Sabah, should it win in the election, said Luyang candidate Ginger Phoong.

Caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal had already engaged in talks with the State Attorney-General on the matter, according to Phoong.

“If we were given the mandate again, we would study and look into it. We recognise the freedom of association, but there should be some limitation to that freedom.

“As much as politicians should have the freedom to associate with the party of their choice, the people should also have the freedom to choose the representative of their constituency. I think Malaysia is headed towards that, where we are matured enough to discuss it,” he said.

Phoong said this during a press conference after a walkabout in Lido and Lintas, yesterday. With him was former Federal Minister of Youth and Sports and Muar Member of Parliament, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

On the matter, Saddiq said another way to cut party hopping off at the knees was to hold by-election when a candidate switches alliances.

“If politicians are concerned antihopping laws would affect their freedom of association, then they should return the mandate to the people.

“This state election should send a clear signal that ‘frog’ politics will not be tolerated and politicians who ‘hop’ to another party should feel ashamed.

“They should feel so embarrassed that they do not even think about it, so that future generations of politicians do not follow in their footsteps as well,” said Saddiq.

He also hoped all parties could come together and amend the constitution to outlaw party hopping, either through the Election Commission or the Federal Constitution. Otherwise, democracy would be cheapened.

On facing the six-cornered fight in Luyang, Phoong said he would continue the fight for new politics. On his competitors, he noted they had switched alliances previously after pledging loyalty to a certain party, and hoped the people of Luyang would stand for principled politics.

“Some of them (candidates) had jumped parties before and pledged loyalty but did not follow through. I hope the people of Luyang will be at the frontline to endorse new politics, especially the youths.

“I was offered millions to switch parties, including a Deputy Chief Minister position, but I stand firm with Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal and most importantly, the people of Luyang. The people gave me the mandate with a majority of about 12,000 votes. If I switched parties, I would be punished by the people.

“I think Sabahans do not condone this kind of politics. I think the people of Luyang deserve new politics, and young people to lead them,” he said.