[UPDATED] After Juil’s move, Sabah CM confirms next week’s tabling of anti-hopping bill

KOTA KINABALU – Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor today confirmed that Sabah’s anti-party hopping bill will be tabled during the state assembly sitting which starts tomorrow.

“During the state legislative sitting this time, we will table the amendment for us to introduce the state-level anti-hopping law,” he told reporters at today’s PBS-Star Aidilfitri open house event.  

His remarks follow news of Limbahau assemblyman Datuk Juil Nuatim’s move to leave his party KDM to become independent. Juil also declared his support for Hajiji today.

Hajiji, however, said he was not informed of the matter.  

“He (Juil) has not informed me but if it is true, then I hope he will choose a party he wants to follow to continue his political journey.  

“It is up to him because it is a democratic nation, it is up to the state assemblymen to make a decision, but we will table the anti-hopping bill in this next state legislative assembly sitting,” the chief minister said.

Earlier today, Juil, one of only two assemblymen from KDM, announced his departure from the party he co-founded.

Juil said he would give his full support to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Hajiji as the chief minister.

Later in a statement, Hajiji denied allegations that the GRS government had purposely delayed the bill’s tabling to allow more assemblymen to join the state government. 

He said the anti-hopping law involves an amendment to Sabah’s constitution, and this requires approval from the state’s governor and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before it can be tabled in the state assembly. 

“So, the opposition’s claims that we are purposely delaying it is not true. We have to comply with procedures,” he said.

The State Constitution Amendment Bill needs a two-third majority in Sabah’s assembly in order to be passed, and Hajiji said that he is confident it would get full support from GRS and Pakatan Harapan representatives. 

“I also urge the opposition representatives to support the nill, since they have also advocated for the anti-hopping law to be passed in Sabah,” he said. 

The amendment to the state constitution is among four bills to be tabled in the first meeting of the fourth term of the Sabah assembly from tomorrow till Thursday. – The Vibes, May 21, 2023