Allow frogs contest seat again: Dompok

Tuesday, February 03, 2009 (Source: Daily Express)

PENAMPANG: United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok has called for a review of the Federal Constitution to allow people's representatives who vacate their seats to contest again.

The proposed anti-hopping law and the present provision in the Federal Constitution which bars state assemblymen and members of Parliament who have resigned to stand in an election for another seat in the same House had to be reconciled, he said.

If not, the anti-hopping law would bring injustice to the representatives who really fought for the people, said Dompok who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"Now, elected representatives who vacate their seats have no opportunities to test their influence or obtain feedback from the people.

"In this respect, it is good if the voters were to determine the position of the representatives," he told reporters after launching his party's Natural Disaster Fund here today.

Many quarters have called for the enactment of anti-hopping laws after Bota Assemblyman Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim in Perak quit Barisan Nasional and crossed over to Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

It's Tangkarason's 4th flood this year

29 January, 2009 (Source: Daily Express)

BELURAN: It was a bleak Chinese New Year for some 422 families from 15 villages in Tangkarason, here, when they were hit by floods for the fourth time this year.

This time SK Bawang Tangkarason was submerged by water said Kampung Tangkarason development and security comittee (JKKK) protem chairman, Jakiy Tayan.

He said the first flash flood was on Jan. 4-5, flowed by the second on Jan. 10-11 and the third on Jan. 15-16 before the recent on from Jan 26 to 27.

Nonetheless, Jackiy said the villages were glad that the upgrading of the 16km Kulobou-Tangkarason Road had been approved by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

In PITAS, UPKO lent a helping hand to flood victims in Kaibongan and its surroundin areas. Deputy President Datuk Wilfred Bumburing who led the party's leaders as well as members from UPKO Pitas to present contributions to some 400 families said the party is sensitive to the problem faced by the people.

"UPKO's leadership also shares the burden faced by you in your daily lives after losing properties and cops to the flood, he said, adding that hopefully it would help lessen their burden. Bumburing presented six tones of rice, food-stuff and clothes to UPKO Pitas Chief, Lightson Kohia to be distributed to the flood victims.

Among the contributors were Party President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Bumburing, Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh, Datuk Siringan Gubat, Datuk Ewon Ebin, Philip Lasimbang dan Philanthropist Datuk Victor Paul.