Ongkili also urged Abdul Rahman Kongkawan, the Labuk assemblyman and former appointed PBS vice-president, to do the honourable thing by resigning from his seat and seeking a new mandate from the people.
Ongkili said Warisan’s acceptance of Rahman clearly showed that it viewed PBS as a threat.
“Otherwise, why would they continue to entice our assemblymen to join them when they have two-thirds majority?
“Our assemblymen are constantly approached, even at the driving range hitting balls when they come to bisik-bisik (whisper).
“It is disappointing that the Warisan-led government was formed through the process of leap-frogging and still continues to entice our members to join them.
“It shows that they are weak and pressured by both internal and external threats, and that PBS is strong and they want to weaken us,” he told reporters at the party’s headquarters in Penampang near here.
Rahman, a first-term assemblyman, announced his departure from the party he spent almost 30 years with earlier today.
This is the second defection from PBS to Warisan after Tandek assemblyman Anita Baranting, the former PBS women’s chief, quit the party last March.
Ongkili said that while they are disappointed with Rahman for betraying the party, his departure will not distract the party from its struggle.
“We will continue to stick to our principles and defend the struggles of our supporters. We will teach our young leaders the importance of political principles and integrity,” he said.
He said Rahman was well trained by PBS, coming through the ranks (PBS Youth).
Because of his contributions and track record, the party decided to field him as a candidate under the Barisan Nasional ticket in last year’s general election, which he won handsomely.
Ongkili said PBS had high hopes on Rahman to continue the track record of his late father, Kongkawan Kulang, who was a founding member of PBS.
“His late father had served the people full heartedly and with full resilience till the end. It is a pity that he (Rahman) failed the final test.
“Obviously, he must have been tempted by the government and its leaders for political rewards,” he said.
He noted, however, that Labuk has always been a PBS stronghold, adding that the party had won the seat consecutively since its formation in 1985.
Ongkili also called for the introduction of an anti-hopping law. “Our view is simple, if you want to change party after you’ve won your seat, then you should act responsibly.
“Leap-frogging is a dishonest act and void of integrity, so you should first resign as the assemblyman and go back to the voters,” he said.