Political stability certain finally
Published on: Sunday, May 28, 2023
By: Nikko Fabian
Masidi hopes there will be political stability in Sabah now that the State Legislative Assembly has passed the anti-party hopping law. Stressing that political stability is vital and Sabahans deserve it.
Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun hopes there will be political stability in Sabah now that the State Legislative Assembly has passed the anti-party hopping law.Stressing that political stability is vital and Sabahans deserve it, he said many a time Sabah lost out in initiatives simply because politicians spent much time fighting each other rather than working for the State.
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The State Finance Minister said the issue is not which party comes to power.
“The point is that the party given the mandate by Sabahans is given the space to serve the State and do what they are supposed to do,” he said when officiating the launch of the Sabah State-level 2023 National Day and Malaysia Day logo and theme ceremony, here, Saturday.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor recently thanked all 75 members of the State Assembly who supported the Sabah Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2023 on anti-party hopping.
He said the approval of the Bill with the support of all assemblymen present at the State Assembly session on Thursday showed the elected representatives of the State were practising the principle of the Assembly in the interest of the people and the State.
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He said the approved constitutional amendment will be gazetted within a few days or weeks because it needs to be presented and examined by Sabah Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
“I want to make it clear that all the Sabah assemblymen supported the passing of the Bill. However, the opposition leaders negated the deleting of Clause 7(6) to allow any member of the Assembly to be appointed Chief Minister if the person commands the confidence of the majority of the House.
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“The person does not have to be the leader of a political party with the most elected representatives,” he said.
Masidi said the decision taken by the opposition leaders was probably due to misunderstanding.
“We have said during the Assembly sitting that if there is a need to do so, we can form a select committee to look into it (issue) whether there is a need to being back the Clause,” he added.
Previously, the Clause states that the leader of a political party that has won a majority of the seats of the Assembly was deemed as the member of the Assembly who is likely to command the confidence.
Meanwhile, Masidi, who is the main organising committee chairman of the State-level National Day 2023 celebration, said private sector companies must play their role in ensuring more Jalur Gemilang are flown, especially during the coming National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.
He said the responsibility of ensuring the Jalur Gemilang is flown should not rest solely on government agencies, but all parties must join hands to realise that goal.
“Local authorities seem to have to remind the private sector to do the same (fly the Jalur Gemilang). I know they (the private sector) are busy but surely it’s not difficult for everyone to fly the flag (Jalur Gemilang) at least once a year to show our love for the country.
“I know our country is not perfect but, for me, this is the best place to live in the world. I have had the opportunity to live in many places but, God willing, I wish to stay and die in my own country because of my love for our country,” he said.
Masidi said the theme for the National Day and Malaysia Day - Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan - is a call to Malaysians to be resolutely united to achieve the hopes of the nation.
“The logo and theme are important but what is more important is our attitude as Malaysians. This is because the logo and theme can change almost every year but our attitude and heart remain as people who love and are proud of our country, Malaysia.
“When we compare our country with other nations, we must be honest with ourselves. Yes, not all is good but there is more good than bad in our country, that is the most important for us,” he said.
He added that the coming National Day and Malaysia Day will play an important role in fostering the spirit of love for the country and, as such, all Malaysians, especially the younger generation, must celebrate them together.
Also present at the event was by Sabah Information Department Director Jainisah Mohd Noor.
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