PARTI Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) assemblymen will support the anti-party hopping bill when it is tabled in the Sabah legislative assembly.

PBS president Maximus Ongkili said Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and the state government have indicated that the bill is on the agenda of the next state assembly meeting.

“We (the seven PBS assemblymen) will support it,” he told reporters after a Chinese New Year walkabout in Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu today.

“The passing of the anti-hopping law will be a victory for PBS, anything that strengthens the sanctity of the loyalty of the assemblymen to the party and people.”

Yesterday, Ewon Benedick, who officially took over as United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation president, had proposed for the anti-party hopping bill to be tabled at the Sabah assembly meeting in March.

The Kadamaian assemblyman said he had submitted the proposal to Hajiji and the state government as it was deemed crucial to political stability in the state.

Meanwhile, Sabah PH chairman Christina Liew, who was met after the walkabout, said the seven PH assemblymen will also vote in favour of the bill.

“Whatever the decision of the party leaders, I am sure the chief minister (Hajiji) knows what to do,” she said.

“If the government initiates it (tabling the bill), we will support it.” – Bernama, January 15, 2023.