KOTA KINABALU – Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has welcomed the high court’s decision in favour of voters against political “frogging”, following the recent decision to dismiss Gombak MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s application to strike a suit by 10 voters.
PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili hailed the decision as a classic case of “justice coming home”, remembering how the PBS-led Sabah government collapsed in 1994 after several of the party’s elected reps were defected.
The voters are alleging deceit and breach of fiduciary duty on Azmin’s part as their elected representative.
“We all pray that the outcome of the trial will favour the Gombak voters,” he said.
“PBS has been speaking up since the party’s formation 36 years ago against the unprincipled act of betrayal by elected representatives by party-hopping without reference to the votes,” Ongkili said in a statement today.
Ongkili, who is also a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak affairs), described the decision by the high court as path-breaking and a restoration of the dignity of parliamentary process.
“Not only the elected leaders, but any public servant must also be responsible for our action, especially outcomes and the impacts derived from trust given by our voters.
“As the court decided on the case, elected representatives owe fiduciary duties to their voters. These fiduciary duties are based on trust. And this trust is supposed to be earned, not borrowed, neither bought or traded,” he stressed.
He added that the general public is happy with the decision as it will set new standards in the conduct of elected representatives and quality of their services.
“Quality will always manifest through the practice of sound political principles and legacy,” he said.
Remembering PBS’ 1994 fall
He recalled how the PBS, which had won the state election, had its control over the state government taken away in 1994 after several of its assemblymen switched parties.
“In June 1995, I made my maiden speech in Parliament, and devoted substantial time to the fall of the elected PBS government in 1994, just after five weeks in power, due to political frogs.”
Ongkili has been Kota Marudu MP from 1995.
“It was indeed a disastrous political event for Sabah – an elected government could suddenly collapse due to politics, void of political principles by elected and appointed assembly members,” he said.
Ongkili said the PBS government collapsed from having a majority of eight assemblymen, including six nominated, but within 10 days after the fall, PBS was reduced to just five reps.
In his maiden speech, he appealed to Parliament to introduce a new law that would bar leapfrogging.
“PBS’ view is that, till today, it is Parliament that can make it unlawful for an elected member of Parliament or state assembly member to jump parties without first going back to the voters for a by-election.
“I argued then that this is necessary to restore the dignity of Parliament or the assembly and upgrade the standard of the Malaysian Parliament.
“Unfortunately, the practice of party-hopping has continued to this day. I salute the decision of the high court. Political frogging is fiduciarily unjust, and cannot be condoned,” he said.
PBS hopes this decision will eliminate political frogging in Parliament and state assemblies in the future. –The Vibes, July 4, 2021
