'Disgraceful' for Umno, Warisan reps to miss assembly sitting - lawmaker

The no-show by a group of Umno and Warisan lawmakers at the Sabah legislative assembly sitting yesterday has been described by a backbencher as "disgraceful".

Telupid state assemblyperson, Jonnybone J Kurum (above) told Malaysiakini that it was unacceptable for the opposition to boycott a special sitting which was meant to restore the rights of the state.

"It was disgraceful of those assemblypersons who were absent yesterday. It was a special sitting which was seeking to restore Sabah’s rights.

"For me, they are making a mockery out of the state assembly as well as the struggle to regain Sabah rights," said the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) lawmaker.

Yesterday, only six out of 18 Umno state assembly members were present at the session, while none of the 19 Warisan assembly members was in attendance.

The state assembly was convened to debate two crucial bills - Sabah Energy Commission Bill 2023 and Gas Supply Bill 2023.

The bills were designed to transfer regulatory control of the state's energy sector from the federal government.

The passage of the bill was a closely watched affair in view of Sabah BN's decision last Friday to withdraw support from Hajiji Noor to continue as chief minister.

In view of Hajiji's tenuous position, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim flew to Kota Kinabalu with a unity government proposal presented to Hajiji, Sabah BN and Warisan.

While Sabah BN and Warisan have expressed interest, Hajiji has kept mum.

Furthermore, yesterday’s seating arrangements for the state assembly meeting suggested that the government considers Sabah BN to be part of the opposition.

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