Govt, PH to support constitutional changes for anti-hopping law

The government and opposition have agreed to support amendments to the Federal Constitution to allow the formation of an anti-party hopping law, following the announcement that the proposed bill on the matter would not be tabled as expected at the special sitting on April 11.

Law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and PKR’s Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as chairman of the Joint Steering Committee on Transformation and Political Stability said both sides had agreed to support amendments involving the enactment of an enabling clause under Article 10 of the constitution to allow a new act barring MPs from switching camps.

In a joint statement, they said an early draft of the act would be distributed for study by committee members before the April 11 sitting.

They also said that another special sitting to be announced by the prime minister would be held to table, debate and approve related laws in line with Rule 11(3) of the Standing Orders.

“The special Parliament session scheduled for April 11 and 12 will continue as scheduled to table and debate Constitution (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2022,” they added.

The anti-party hopping bill was initially scheduled to be tabled for first reading on March 24.

Wan Junaidi said yesterday that it would be sent back for further study on the definition of party-hopping.

In their statement today, he and Saifuddin said both sides had given their commitment to allowing the bill the two-thirds support needed at the special sitting on April 11 and 12.