SABAH’s anti-party hopping bill needs time-consuming comprehensive study and is not being deliberately delayed, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali said.

He said many efforts have been undertaken to table the bill at the state assembly.

The legislature convenes tomorrow.

Armizan, who is also Sabah, Sarawak affairs and special functions minister, told reporters this after the Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday.

Armizan said the bill, which includes provisions to prevent those elected under one political party from switching to another party upon winning, emphasises three main principles – upholding democracy, respecting voters’ rights, and creating government stability.

“Although it is a bill brought by the government, to me it is a wish coming from all parties. Let there be no party politicising this or allowing the bill to be drawn into polemics as this has been long voiced and discussed,” he said.

He said GRS fully backs the bill and hopes it will be passed with a two-thirds’ majority.

Citing the 2018 change in Sabah’s administration, which saw the fall of chief minister Musa Aman as a result of party hopping, Armizan said tomorrow’s assembly sitting must focus on bringing about political stability in the state.

Armizan said the bill is not aimed at strengthening Chief Minister Hajiji Mohd Noor’s government. 

“In Sabah, there is a history of party hopping, and it’s been happening for a long time.

“God willing, all parties will be giving their commitment (to passing the bill into law). Don’t let narrow-minded politics prevent this from happening,” he said.

On Sunday, Hajiji confirmed the Sabah assembly will table its anti-party hopping bill during the four-day sitting that began Monday. – Bernama, May 24, 2023.