Sabah Deputy Chief Minister 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.    

NONE "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, Tamparuli, 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.   

Shafie: Hopping disgusting

Meanwhile Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal said there was no need for an anti-hop law in Malaysia.     

"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 on, 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 struggle," he told reporters when asked to comment on a proposal by Penang DAP for an anti-hop law, at the Aidilfitri open house yesterday in Kota Kinabalu, hosted by the Papar Umno Youth chief.     

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. 

Saifuddin: Anwar favourable to hopping?

Umno supreme council member Saifuddin Abdullah meanwhile pointed out that while DAP was very keen on an anti-party hopping law, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was acting differently.    

"DAP does not agree with party-hopping but at the same time, the PKR advisor, Anwar, is persuading Barisan Nasional assemblymen and members of parliament to quit their respective parties and join the opposition."    

He said this when met by reporters at an Aidilfitri celebration he hosted in Taman Seri Tualang Mentakab, Temerloh, today.    

Saifuddin, who is also Higher Education Deputy Minister, said the opposition parties were indeed not on the same wavelength on several matters and therefore, the people should be wise in realising the confusion and disagreements among the opposition parties.    

DAP and PAS are already at loggerheads over the establishment of an Islamic state and implementation of hudud if the opposition is able to form the next federal government.    

Saifuddin said the opposition was thus not qualified to lead the country as its administration would be detrimental to the nation and people.    

- Bernama