KOTA KINABALU: All Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen should put national, state and public interests above party commitments, said former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
He concurred that the interests of the country should come first for the elected representatives of the people.
“Even though the party gives us the chance to run for office, the people/voters actually elect us into being an MP or state assemblyman (ADUN),” he wrote in his most recent Facebook post.
Citing the opposition-leaning Kuala Kangsar Member of Parliament’s stance in favor of the government budget, Salleh said the Kuala Kangsar MP was targeted by some opposition groups for breaching the anti-hopping law.
“However, I believe, like some of us do, that the Kuala Kangsar MP’s action shows that person puts the needs of the nation and the public above party commitments,” he said.
Therefore, when making decisions in Parliament or State Assembly, Salleh, an assemblyman representing Usukan, urged the people to analyze and assess the current situation, see the wider picture, and comprehend its broader perspective.
“We should be able to distinguish between actions that advance the public interest and actions that are party-hopping, he added.
According to the former Minister of Communications and Multimedia, the electorate expects their elected representatives to prioritize national and public interests over party commitments.