GRS confident 4 MPs won't be affected by anti-hopping law

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is confident that the four MPs from Bersatu who were elected under the coalition’s banner will not be affected by the anti-hopping law, says GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun.

Masidi said GRS and the MPs concerned were fully aware of the anti-hopping law, which came into effect on Oct 5, before they contested in the recent general election.

"They (MPs) will inform the speaker of Parliament if and when necessary of their position, and will issue a statement accordingly. We are confident that they will not be affected by the anti-hopping law," he said in a statement yesterday.

The four are Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Armizan Mohd Ali (Papar); Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (Batu Sapi); Jonathan Yasin (Ranau); and Matbali Musah (Sipitang).

Another two GRS MPs are Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau) and Lo Su Fui (Tawau) from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).

GRS, which previously comprised Bersatu, PBS, STAR, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and the United Sabah National Organisation (USNO), partners with Barisan Nasional (BN) to govern Sabah.

On Dec 10, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor, who is also former Sabah Bersatu chief, said that leaders of Sabah Bersatu led by him had unanimously decided to leave the party but would remain under GRS.