Sabah's political turmoil must be solved through law
KUALA LUMPUR - Sabah's political turmoil must be solved based on the right law and legislation, says Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The Semporna member of parliament (MP) said this is not for personal gain but for the political stability of the country and to uphold democracy.
"If we don't respect the constitution or obey the democratic system as practised, it would lead to political instability.
"I hope the situation could be alleviated as best as possible, not through desperation but through the laws. Imagine if we united at the federal level but not at the state level," he said on a Sinar Live programme titled 'Rakyat Sabah Ibarat Pungguk Rindukan Bulan’ hosted by Hazwan Mokhtar in Parliament on Wednesday.
Shafie said the government should enforce the Anti-Party Hopping Act for all states.
This will ensure no MP can take action that can destroy the country's democracy, he added.
He said if it was not approved by the state government, as stated by the opposition leader, he would bring the 'private bill' regarding the matter to the table in the Sabah State Assembly.
"The laws were not in line as they were only applicable at the federal level without involving the states. What about the administration of the democratic system? We have to see to it that we create political maturity.
"I ask for this act to be enacted in Sabah immediately, not for my own gains, but because it is important for our state and other states to be in line with each other.
"Imagine if Penang dropped four assemblymen but more than 10 in Sabah were not dropped. How could you say there is unity?" he questioned.
On state election preparations, Shafie said preparations were underway to make sure Warisan could administer the state successfully.
