By Social activist Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU: Politics can be likened to playing a board game, specifically Snakes and Ladders.
The main objective is to advance by rolling a dice.
As a player, you have the chance to climb ladders for quick progress or fall victim to snakes, which will set you back in the game.
Recently, it was reported that Datuk Peter Anthony’s lawyers filed for a judicial review of his arrest warrant dated March 4, 2025.
After exhausting his appeals, the court upheld his conviction for forgery under Section 468 of the Malaysian Penal Code, resulting in a three-year prison sentence and a fine of RM 50,000.00.
Consequently, he could forfeited his seats in the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) due to the State Constitution Article 17(1)(e), which stipulates disqualification for membership of the Legislative Assembly.
However, there is a twist: he must apply for a stay of execution within 14 days of the initial sentencing, which means he has until March 18, 2025, to do so.
Are you still in the game?
On February 23, 2025, Datuk Peter Anthony, head of the Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), announced that the party would run independently in the upcoming Sabah State Election.
Deputy President and Kota Marudu MP Datuk Wetrom Bahanda revealed that KDM plans to contest more than 45 state seats in this election, presenting an option for the Kadazan Dusun Murut Momogun communities along the west coast and the interior of Sabah.
So who holds the trump card in this situation? Their former party president is embroiled in a legal battle, leaving the DUN Melalap without representation in the August house until the Sabah State Election is concluded.
Wetrom’s brother is Datuk Verdon Bahanda, the MP for Kudat.
If you are still playing the game, it appears the dice have landed on a snake.
KDM now faces the challenge of catching up with the other players on the board.
The future of the party depends on their senior and more experienced leaders: the Bahanda brothers.
Go ahead and roll.
