KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has urged the police to conduct thorough investigations into attempts by unknown 'agents' to lure several state government elected representatives to cross over.
Lambasting the act, Shafie said such practice was uncalled for and could distrupt the stability of the nation, specifically Sabah.
Recently, assemblymen from Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) and Sabah DAP claimed they were approached by certain individuals and were offered inducements to switch parties in a bid to topple the current state government.
Police reports have been lodged over the matter.
"What sort of culture is this? Assemblymen should report such incidents and I want this to be investigated in detail, including who sent (these people). We want to see the findings.
"This is intimidation and harassment. It is uncalled for and is unethical," Shafie told reporters after presenting the appointment letter to the new state Attorney-General (AG) Brenndon Keith Soh at the state administrative centre here, today.
He then expressed confidence that Warisan assemblymen were matured and could not be easily bought, adding he would debate the matter in parliament.
While noting that the suggestion to introduce anti-hopping laws was relevant and practical, Shafie stressed that it needs to be looked into thoroughly as there have been lots of ideas and opinions presented to curb the party-hopping culture.
"I think the most important part is the people must be mindful too. If certain politicians have such (party-hopping) habits, then they (people) should know who to vote for next," he said.
Shafie also rubbished claims by Sabah Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who said Warisan was hiding its elected representatives out of fear of them leaving the party.
It was reported that Kitingan said Warisan and Sabah DAP leaders should stop accusing state opposition leaders, particularly former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, of attempting to pinch their elected representatives.
"I don't micromanage people on the ground. I just arrived from Kuala Lumpur yesterday and I have no time (to hide people). Why should I? They have families to look after," he said.
Earlier, Shafie expressed hope to see improvement in the state's legal aspects, particularly in restructuring old laws to fit the current environment and ensuring the delivery system is well executed.
Meanwhile, on the anti-hopping law, Soh said coming up with such legislation needs to be a policy decision by the state government and several factors need to be considered, including whether it contravened the federal constitution.
"So if that policy decision is made, then of course the state AG's chambers will immediately look into it, study and provide advice as to whether such a law can be passed by the state," opined the newly minted state AG.
Soh also said the process would take some time, noting a federal court case has decided that anti-hopping laws in Kelantan contravened the federal constitution because of the freedom of association, which is a fundamental right.
"So, the state must be careful not to pass a law which can be considered ultra vires to the federal constitution. The state AG's chambers is well equipped with senior officers and legal councils to do necessary research and come up with opinions, if a decision is made," he added.