Maximus
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) welcomes the High Court’s decision in favour of voters against political frogs.
Its president, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, explained the decision is indeed a classic case of dream that “justice has come home”.
“We all pray that the outcome of the trial will favour the Gombak voters.
“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 back to the votes,” he stressed.
He also described the decision by the High Court as path breaking and indeed a restoration of the dignity of parliamentary process.
“Not only the elected leaders, any public servants must 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.
Ongkili, who is also the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), added that of course, the general public is desirous to the High Court 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.
“In June, 1995, I did 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.
“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.
The Kota Marudu Member of Parliament 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 five assembly members.
In his maiden speech, he appealed to Parliament to introduce a new law that would bar leap-frogging.
“PBS views that till today, it is Parliament that can make it unlawful for an elected member of parliament or State assembly member to jump party without first going back to the voters for a by-election.
“I argued then that this was 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 frog jumping is fiduciary unjust, and cannot be condoned,” he said.
PBS hopes this decision will eliminate political frogging in parliament and state assemblies in the future.
Late last month, the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed an application by Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to strike out a suit filed by 10 Gombak voters against him for alleged deceit and breach of fiduciary duty as the MP of the parliamentary constituency
The trial will begin on June 7 to 10, 2022 with case management on April 22, 2022.