By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 4: The Federal Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2022 to propose an anti-party hopping law will be tabled at another special parliamentary sitting on a date to be announced by the prime minister later.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the date will be set in accordance with Regulations 11(3), Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.
“When we are done with the research (to refine the Bill) later, it’s up to the prime minister and probably the decision of the Cabinet on when the Bill can be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Because some suggested to wait until (the) July (parliament sitting), but some say to keep the promises made (to the people). So, we will leave the decision to the prime minister,” he said.
Wan Junaidi, who also heads the Special Select Committee looking into the anti-party hopping Bill, said despite the hurdles to have the Bill passed since January, he was confident in the committee which comprises many law experts.
“From Pakatan Harapan (PH), we have Gobind Singh Deo, (Mohamed) Hanipa Maidin and from Barisan Nasional (BN), there are (Datuk Seri) Nazri Abdul Aziz, (Datuk Seri) Azalina (Othman Said) as well as (Datuk Seri) Takiyuddin (Hassan) from PAS (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia), and myself in the committee.
“We are all equipped with law backgrounds and years of experiences in the field, so I’m confident that we can resolve any issues that we had previously,” he told reporters in a gathering with the people at Penview Convention Centre Demak here today.
The Santubong MP said his hope was for the proposed law to be implemented as soon as possible, before the coming 15th General Election.
He said this is to avoid past incidents with elected representatives jumping parties uncontrollably from happening again. — DayakDCaily
