KUCHING, July 27: Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob tabled the much-awaited anti-party hopping bill for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat in Kuala Lumpur today.
Following discussions and deliberations by the Parliamentary Select Committee tasked to draft the Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No.3) 2022 which took a year, Ismail Sabri said legislation prohibiting members of the House from changing parties will not apply retrospectively, which meant the Act would only be effected on party hoppers from the date it is gazetted.
He emphasised that a one-step approach must be taken to introduce the law prohibiting party switching through amendments to the Federal Constitution.
“A member of Dewan Rakyat who leaves a political party in a coalition party and joins another political party in the same or a different coalition party ceases to be a member of the Dewan Rakyat.
“Any member of the Dewan Rakyat who changes political party or any member who leaves the political party for which he was a candidate during the election to become an independent member will cease to be a member of the Dewan Rakyat and will have to vacate the seat,” he said, when revealing some of the parameters being considered in the amendments when tabling the Bill.
The proceeding was broadcast live through the ‘Parlimen Malaysia’ YouTube Channel today.
On the exceptions, Ismail Sabri explained, a Dewan Rakyat member will not cease to be a member if their political party is dissolved or deregistered, removal of membership from a political party when the member is elected as Speaker of the House, and the dismissal of a member from a political party is exempted from the member no longer being an MP.
He emphasised that the government takes seriously the act of changing parties or “party jumping” or “defection” or “floor crossing” which has caused much debate and polemics among the general public.
“This is because it involves the mandate or trust of the people who elect their representatives in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said.
The Prime Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment in drafting the bill to ensure political stability and prevent the country from continuing to face an endless political crisis.
“This amendment also gives a clear message to each member of the House to stick to the principles of the party they represent to protect the mandate of the people who have voted and have high confidence in the members of the Dewan Rakyat during the election process.
“In addition, I am confident that this Bill is also capable of stopping the actions of any elected and appointed party from changing parties without good or reasonable reasons, thus ensuring the country’s political stability for a long period of time,” he said. — DayakDaily
