November 24, 2020 (PN)
The government currently does not see a need to create new laws to prevent Malaysia’s elected lawmakers from hopping to another political party after being voted in, but will study it in detail if such laws become necessary in the future, a minister appears to have indicated.
“At this time, the Government is of the view that every citizen is guaranteed the right to freedom of association in line with Article 10(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution where this right to form association was also discussed in the Supreme Court’s decisions in the case of Dewan Undangan Negeri Kelantan & Anor v Nordin bin Salleh & Anor [1992] 1 CLJ 343 and the case of Tun Datu Haji Mustapha bin Datu Harun v. State Legislative Assembly of Sabah & Anor (No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3) 1993 [1 MLJ 26], [1 CLJ 86] and [3 CLJ 546].
However, if the Government is of the view that there is a need to draft this party-hopping laws in the future, detailed studies would certainly be carried out, including by comparing best practices with other countries,” he said in a brief two-paragraph written parliamentary reply yesterday.
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