Tungku assemblyman Assafal Alian said the recent political turmoil in the state highlighted the importance of an anti-hopping law.

Last week, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin announced that the party was withdrawing support for chief minister Hajiji Noor.

However, five Umno assemblymen pledged support for Hajiji, resulting in the failure of the coup attempt by Bung, Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Malaysia (PKDM).

In a statement today, Assafal, a Warisan Supreme Council member, said although Hajiji has pledged to introduce an anti-hopping law in the state, it has yet to happen.

“I urge the Sabah government to immediately table an anti-hopping law. This move is in line with what has been done at the federal level and some other states in Malaysia,” he said.

He said the anti-hopping law is aimed at restoring trust in democracy.

“If this bill is presented and approved in the Sabah state assembly, it will lead to political stability and the continued development of the state,” he said.