KUCHING: The acceptance of Datuk Willie Mongin, MP for Puncak Borneo in joining Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) could have been surprising news for many, said a political analyst.
Associate Professor Dr Lee Kuok Tiung of Universiti Malaysia Sabah opines that it was not a problem for Willie if he was partyless.
“However, if he’s hopping or jumping from one party to PBB, then surely it will attract huge amount of commentaries as the anti-hopping bill was just passed in the lower House of Parliament recently.”
Lee said this when asked to comment on PBB accepting Willie’s application in joining the party.
On Puncak Borneo voters’ view, Lee believed that PBB has consulted with the Puncak Borneo grassroots, especially with the PBB leaders in the area.
“Or else, this surely will cause lots of problems after this,” he added.
PBB president, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg confirmed the application of Willie into PBB fold after a PBB Supreme Council meeting on Saturday (Aug 6).
Previously in June, Willie, who is Federal Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister revealed that he has applied to join PBB.
Willie won the Puncak Borneo seat in the 14th General Election on a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) ticket before quitting the party following the Sheraton Move in February 2020.
He was appointed deputy minister in the Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government in March 2020 by former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and maintained his position when Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob took charge of the government in August 2021.
