“If any party wants to prevent its leaders from switching to another party, particularly those who opted to do so after having won in the election, then it should screen and reject potential hoppers as candidates earlier before the polls.
“Not many countries have an anti-hop law. What is important is that we imbue good values among politicians so there is discipline and consistency in their party’s struggle,” he told reporters when asked to comment on a proposal by Penang DAP for an anti-hop law at the Aidilfitri open house hosted by the Papar Umno Youth chief on Saturday.
He described party hopping among politicians as a disgusting and immoral act.
On certain Barisan Nasional leaders who had openly declared support for the opposition Pakatan, Shafie, who is also rural and regional development minister, said he was confident the people of Sabah were mature enough to make the appropriate decision in the coming general election.
“Admittedly, the political scenario in Sabah is colourful, but it is not something unusual in the state,” he said. — Bernama
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Anti-hopping law merits review, says Pairin
News 2012-08-27 10:31
TAMPARULI (Sabah), Aug 26 (Bernama) -- Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan opined that there is merit in bringing about a review of the anti-hopping law to stop politicians from changing parties after being elected to parliament or state assemblies.
He said freedom of association was controlled by law, and by resigning or forcing an elected representatives to resign when he or she hops, it would allows for a by-election to be called.
"Of course, this allows freedom of choice and it actually allows the people to express their views in line with the principle of democracy...that doesn't hinder the freedom of association.
"But so far no body has taken this up (for a review) so we cannot argue the point. That's my opinion. It (anti-hopping law) is not blocking freedom of association," he told reporters when met at the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Aidilfitri open house at Dewan Tun Hamdan, here, today.
Pairin, who is PBS president, was asked to comment on a recent proposal by Penang DAP to enact an anti-hopping law.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was quoted as saying recently that the state was looking at enacting an anti-hopping law in November, ahead of the 13th general election that must be called by next April.
Pairin, a former Sabah Chief Minister, said the anti-hopping law was meant to wake up the minds of the people, particularly people's representatives as to their proper role and responsibilities.
"You must honour your promise...the social contract between the voters and the candidate (not to hop)," he said, adding that "we will see what the reactions will be from the legal fraternity on the proposal by Penang DAP to enact an anti-hopping law".
The then-PBS government in Sabah had enacted such a law in the 1980s but it was later declared ultra vires the Federal Constitution as it restrained one's freedom of association.
Voters spent their quality time and much efforts to exercise their rights to vote by coming out to vote for their desired party and candidate. This is the very purpose of voting.
ReplyDeleteIf the elected candidate chose to change party, he / she can't brings all those votes with him/her by giving the new party a seat in the process. This amount to betrayal of fundamental trust accorded to candidate by voters.
Remember a vote represent the will, wishes and voice of every individual voters that cannot be taken lightly.
It is easier said than done to imbue honesty to candidate as they are human too which could give in to temptation that they could not resist.
If there is no anti hopping law, then it defeat the very purpose of voting as elected politician can switch party easily leaving voters in despair.
Agree, the people vote a candidate, but the candidate chose not to fulfill his responsibility. In the end, the people are the ones that was being deceived. Say no to party hopping.
DeleteMasih disemak mengenai cadangan anti-lompat ini. Kalau dilihat secara logiknya memang sesuai undang-undang ini dilakukan.
DeleteMengenai isu lompat parti ini rasanya perlu tahu ini bukannya budaya yang patut kita contohi. Ini boleh dikatakan seperti pengkhianatan.
DeleteI don't believe in Shafie. He can do whatever he wants to and this is sucks.
DeleteBudaya lompat parti ini memang biasa bagi pemimpin yang tiada pendirian dan penting diri sendiri.
DeleteObviously there is integrity problem with an elected rep who has campaign day n night in order to win votes only to hop to another party once he/she won. How can an elected rep have such lack principle changing party barely weeks after wining and joining the very party that he/she against so much before election? Common sense prevail that anti hopping law is needed to stop all these nonsense.
ReplyDeleteAn anti-hopping law needs to be implemented so that these elected representatives will stick through their duty as expected of them. Rather than jumping in and out as they like.
DeleteShafie is another leader who should be kicked off.
DeleteSorry Shafie, I'm more in support towards Datuk Pairin Kitingan who said there is merit in bringing about a review of the anti-hopping law to stop politicians from changing parties after being elected to parliament or state assemblies. I hope the anti-hopping law will be considered. Pairin also said the anti-hopping law was meant to wake up the minds of the people, particularly people’s representatives as to their proper role and responsibilities.
ReplyDeletePairin suggestion is more mature and I also support Pairin.
DeletePairin is more reliable than him. He is just a parrot who chirps without a sound.
DeletePBS has enacted a anti-hopping law in the 1980s, but it didn't work out because it was said to be restraining one’s freedom of association. I hope this time PBS will fight for this anti-hopping law again, to bring back the kind of spirit PBS has initially.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Shafie that the people of Sabah were mature enough to make the appropriate decision in the coming general election. Let's hope the leaders are mature enough to go through with their duty rather than taking the easy way out.
ReplyDeleteYa betul... Pemimpin pun patut bersikap matang juga kerana setiap tindak tanduk pasti dinilai oleh rakyat.
DeleteSabahans are indeed mature enough to make decisions.
DeleteBagi Bernard Dompok pula, beliau bersetuju undang-undang antilompat parti dikaji semula, “dengan syarat mereka yang menukar parti, tidak dihalang daripada menjadi calon pada pilihan raya kecil”.
ReplyDeleteKata beliau peruntukan sedia ada yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan menyebut bahawa seseorang Anggota Parlimen atau Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri yang meletak jawatan, hilang kelayakan untuk bertanding sebagai anggota Dewan Rakyat (atau dewan undangan negeri) bagi tempoh lima tahun, mulai tarikh beliau meletak jawatan.
Dompok knows better I guess.
DeleteMengenai Upko pula, Dompok berkata parti itu tetap wujud dan kukuh, walaupun ditinggalkan beberapa pemimpinnya, termasuk bekas timbalan presiden Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing dan naib presiden Senator Datuk Maijol Mahap, yang kini menyokong pakatan pembangkang.
ReplyDeleteI am prefer to have the law to make sure that there be no more people jumping ship in the future.
ReplyDeleteBagus juga kalau ada undang2 ni tapi nanti pemimpin tu jadi talam dua muka pula. Jadi better lompat dari jadi gunting dalam lipatan kan.
DeleteBut the top management need to have a deep study on the issue.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the manege to have a best result on the issue.
ReplyDeleteMereka yang lompat parti pasti akan bersekongkol dengan Parti Kena Reject
ReplyDeletekita jgn sokong mereka yang suka melompat.
ReplyDeleteAda atau tidak ada pun sama juga cerita; rakyat yang akan tentukan siapa yang mereka nak undi.
ReplyDeleteKalau saya mana-mana sajalah sebab sa tahu juga siapa yang layak untuk saya undi.
ReplyDeletePlaing senang siapa yang suka lompat parti ni tak payah undi kerana dia tunjukkan sikap tak setia.
ReplyDeleteJK raja lompat parti. Rakyat sudah hilang kepercayaan terhadap beliau.
Deletetidak perlu halang kalau ada ahli2 yang mahu lompat.. teruskan saja.. nanti dia buat sabotaj dalam parti, siapa juga yang susah?
ReplyDelete