KOTA KINABALU: The action of opposition assemblyman not to wear official attire in the opening of State Legislative Assembly yesterday gave the impression of being disrespectful to the Head of State Tun Juhar Datuk Haji Mahruddin and voters in their respective constituencies.
Pantai Manis assemblyman cum Sabah State Assembly’s Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Datuk Haji Abdul Rahim Ismail said the ceremonial attire was a symbol of legislative power bestowed by the government to elected representatives in the State.
“Choosing not to wear the official attire shows that they (opposition elected representatives) do not respect the democratic process practised by voters in their constituencies.”
He said that in response to opposition assemblymen who donned dark attire to the State Legislative Assembly here yesterday.
Abdul Rahim said he was saddened by the antics of the opposition assemblymen in this distinguished assembly.
“This is an insult to the democratic process for the voters in their constituencies.”
Meanwhile, Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy chief Christina Liew said their dark attire was a mark of protest and solidarity for imprisoned PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) that was passed in the Parliament recently.
“Although Pota has been passed, we are determined to show our protest against the Act,” she said.
Liew pointed out that Pota had gone against the spirit of democracy as anyone could be detained without trial and without penalty.
She said the government had also violated press freedom with the detention of media practitioners recently.
Opposition assemblymen including Sabah opposition leader cum Klias assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Haji Ukin, Kepayan assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi, Api-Api assemblywoman Christina Liew, Likas assemblyman Junz Wong, Moyog assemblyman Terrence Siambun, Inanam assemblyman Roland Chia, Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing, Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan were wearing dark attire at the assembly.