BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says elected representatives who defect after Sabah polls face RM50 million fine and legal action under anti-hopping law
KINABATANGAN: Barisan Nasional elected representatives who defect from their parties will face a RM50 million fine or legal action.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had received an undertaking that any BN elected representative who defects after the 17th Sabah State Election would be subject to the penalty.
He stated that although the Anti-Party Hopping Law now makes it unlikely for elected representatives to switch parties, the additional penalty serves as a further deterrent.
“This is to ensure that what happened in the previous state election does not happen again,” he said in his speech at the Jelajah TVET programme at Dataran Kinabatangan.
“We must learn from our past mistakes and shortcomings.”
The Deputy Prime Minister also reminded all 45 BN candidates contesting in the 17th Sabah polls to work hard.
He described this as the best chance for the coalition and UMNO to regain dominance in Sabah.
Ahmad Zahid said the people of Sabah wanted to see BN and UMNO return to administer the state.
He emphasized the coalition’s commitment to driving comprehensive development in Kinabatangan.
“I was given the responsibility by the Prime Minister as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development,” he said.
“This means I am the minister for villages, rural communities, and areas like Kinabatangan.”
He promised to help develop Kinabatangan beyond basic facilities like roads, electricity and water supply.
“We will bring much more than that to Lamag and Sukau,” he added.
On May 25, 2023, the Sabah Legislative Assembly passed the State Constitution Amendment Bill to enforce a ban on party-hopping.
The Election Commission has set November 29 as polling day for the 17th Sabah State Election.
Early voting will take place on November 25. – Bernama
