KUCHING: The passing of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2022 has been described as a progressive political reform envisaged by the Sarawak government.
Dayak Think Tank Association Sarawak (DTTAS) adviser Wellie Henry Majang said the Bill which prohibits members of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) from switching parties is not only unique but illustrates the right foundation in the maturity of its political democracy.
“The Bill was passed without any threats from any party and the approved Bill is to avoid the democratic system in the state being tainted following the actions of people’s representatives who jump parties.
“If the Bill wasn’t passed, it taints the existing democratic system and the people’s mandate given to the people’s representative should not be betrayed by jumping parties.
“The Anti-Hopping Bill was drafted not to prevent the internal democratic process among politicians but to avoid bringing more harm to the state, especially from an economic point of view when the people of Sarawak, who have been victims of betrayal from the people’s representative who jumped parties.
“Their actions have caused us to suffer political instability that harms the economy and development,” he said in a statement on Today (Nov 23).
He stressed that implementation of the Bill needs to be expedited in order to prevent people’s representatives from hopping parties in light of the political situation which appears to be more driven by bargaining to thwart the ruling government or establishing the desired government.
“We have all seen how establishing and destroying a government can be done with party hopping or pulling support,” he added.
The Bill which was unanimously passed with the support of two-thirds from the members of the House was earlier tabled by Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
