Bn Reps Who Defect To Face Rm50mil Penalty Says Zahid

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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 General Election would be subjected to the RM50 million penalty. Pic by NSTP/MOHD FADLI HAMZAHKINABATANGAN: Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives who defect from the coalition 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 General Election would be subjected to the RM50 million penalty.
He said that although the Anti-Party Hopping Law now makes it unlikely for elected representatives to switch parties, the additional penalty and legal consequences serve as a further deterrent.
"This is to ensure that what happened in the previous state election does not happen again. We must learn from our past mistakes and shortcomings," he said in his speech at the Jelajah TVET programme at Dataran Kinabatangan today.
The Deputy Prime Minister also reminded all 45 BN candidates contesting in the 17th Sabah polls to work hard, as this is the best chance for the coalition and Umno to regain dominance in Sabah.
He said the people of Sabah wanted to see BN and Umno return to administer the state, and that the coalition was committed to driving comprehensive development in Kinabatangan.
"I was given the responsibility by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, which means I am the minister for villages, rural communities, and areas like Kinabatangan. So I will help develop Kinabatangan.
"It is not just about completing the basic facilities of roads, electricity and water supply… we will bring much more than that to Lamag and Sukau," he said.
On May 25, 2023, the Sabah Legislative Assembly passed the State Constitution (Amendment) Bill to enforce a ban on party-hopping among elected representatives.
The Election Commission has set Nov 29 as polling day for the 17th Sabah General Election, while early voting will be held on Nov 25. - NST

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