By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, April 17: The proposed anti-party hopping law will have to get Sarawak’s consent before it can be implemented in the State.
Minister In The Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the matter was first suggested by Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during an engagement session over the proposed law.
“It was a very good and far-sighted suggestion by our Premier.
“No one is going to dispute it because I stand on the same ground as the Premier on the question of autonomy of the State to decide on its own law.
“(It is) not the federal (government) to decide for [the State],” he told reporters after breaking fast with members of the local community at Margherita Hotel here today.
Wan Junaidi who is also the Santubong MP further explained that once the Bill is passed in Parliament, the federal government cannot enforce it until it has received the Royal Assent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“The provision is there but Agong will not enforce it until Agong discusses it with the Head of State.
“Once the Head of State agrees to it on the advice of the Premier, only then can it (the law) be extended to Sarawak,” he added.
Also present at the event was political secretary to the Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamzah Syed Paie. — DayakDaily
