KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan will be the first party to amend its constitution in line with the recently passed anti-hopping law in Parliament, says president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
"We are hoping for a similar approach to be implemented by state governments nationwide. As I have recommended in Parliament, I am hoping that the states, not only Sabah, will hold a special meeting at their respective assembly sessions to propose a anti-hopping legislation.
"And as the opposition leader in Sabah, we will give the best cooperation and be present for the process of law amendment," he told reporters at Warisan headquarters near here.
The Semporna member of parliament also said the presidents and leaders of several parties had voted in favour of the bill.
He added that the scenario was a positive development to showcase the politicians' rejection of such a move to squander the people's mandate.
"When you betray the mandate given by the people, you are also denying their voice. Warisan as a party (was adversely) affected (by crossovers), it is a situation which is not so healthy.
"Therefore, I am hoping that the amendment (of anti-hopping law) would not only happen at our party level, but at all parties in the county."
In June, Warisan saw its sixth assemblyman, Rina Jainal from Kukusan, quitting the party to join Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS).
The party also lost its Lahad Datu member of parliament Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi, who defected to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia for six months before calling it quits to become an independent.
As for the state assembly, there was no news of a special sitting to propose any anti-hopping legislation.
On Warisan's two-day annual general meeting, Shafie said it would be held at the KadazanDusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Hall in Penampang on Aug 26 and 27.
