ELECTORAL SYSTEM REFORM
KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting welcomes the announcement on the formation of a parliamentary caucus to reform the country’s electoral system which aims to prevent party hopping among politicians.
He said this was important in view of the emergence of ‘frogging’ culture in the country of late.
“I think most of us right thinking people would not feel comfortable or happy about changing government and some people would then move to other parties. This will cause people to be confused.
“Therefore, amendment must be made to the Federal Constitution (FC) to make sure that party hopping is not tolerated in Malaysia,” he said in his speech during the launch of a book entitled ‘HIJACK in Malaysia: The Fall of Pakatan Harapan’ at Chemsian Auditorium, Rock Road today.
He said the parliamentary caucus was going to look at how to reform the country’s electoral system especially governing party hopping.
“I think most of us here and most Malaysians would agree to that (anti-party hopping), and we hope this can be done as soon as possible so that people on the ground would not be taken for a ride,” he said.
On Aug 18, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) of Malaysia chairman Anthony Loke said the bipartisan parliamentary caucus members would comprise representatives from all political parties in the country.
He said the members have also been tasked with preparing a report on the mechanism that can be used to reform the country’s electoral system within six months and it will be presented to the government.
Ting on said it was important for Sarawakians to remember the three historical dates — July 22, 1963, Aug 31, 1957 and Sept 16, 1963.
“The first day, July 22, was when Sarawak first took control of its own administration. And I believe it is the beginning of the independence of Sarawak.
“In 2016, 22 July was gazetted as a public holiday by the late Tok Nan (chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) and the reason given in the gazette was that it was Sarawak Independence Day. He must have his reason for it,” he said.
Ting said the second date, Aug 31, is Independence Day for Malaya and not for Sarawak.
“You and I were taught that in our history book our independence was Aug 31. That history book is wrong and is still wrong. The facts inside are wrong.
“So, now that we know, we must continue to say Aug 31. We congratulated you federal state on your independence, but this not for Sarawak and Sabah,” he said.
He said on the third day, Sept 16, Malaysia was formed together by Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.
“We say it is important, but sometimes when we look at it again we are supposed to be partners in the formation of Malaysia. We have signed the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA 63), and we are supposed to be equal partners.
“Unfortunately, over the years, things have changed and we are no longer equal partners and we do not get what we should,” he said.
He said which is why Sarawak has started to fight and pursue its autonomy and what belongs to the state.
