KUCHING, March 23: Leaders and representatives of the Dayak community are urging the government to expedite the tabling of the Anti-Party Hopping Bill so that it can be enforced by the 15th General Election (GE15).
Dayak Think-Tank Association Sarawak (DTTAS) vice president Edward Awan, Dayak National Congress (DNC) president Paul Raja, Sarawak Native Customary Rights Land Network (Tahabas) president Romuald Siew, Sarawak Terabai Menua Association president Wilfred Nissem, Sarawak Rara Salako Association (Perasa) president Robert Umping and Balang Balai Nyabung Association (BBN) secretary-general Dr John Brian all held the same view.
They said it was stated in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the government that the Bill would be tabled and passed at the first meeting of Parliament this year, no later than March 24, which is tomorrow.
“The Anti-Party Hopping Bill should be passed immediately without the need for any threat from any party to pass it.
“It is to prevent the democratic system in the country from being further tainted following the actions of elected representatives who jump from party to party.
“If not approved, it tarnishes the existing democratic system. The mandate of the people given to a person should not be betrayed by jumping here and there,” they said in a joint statement today.
They also said the Bill is part of the various political reforms supported by the Malaysian Family concept, thus the delay or postponement of the tabling of the Bill would draw the people’s doubts about the commitment of the government.
Such an important government policy should not be delayed any longer and must be given all priority by the government, they emphasised.
“With this, it is only appropriate that this Anti-Party Hopping Bill comes into force before the next GE15,” they added. — DayakDaily
