Party hopping has become common practice in the Malaysian political system. Election seasons are notorious for rumours of MPs being offered positions in government, millions of ringgit, and more, to switch political allegiances. These corrupt practices are endemic and must be curbed.
While an MP does have the freedom to associate, the often underhanded ways in which this occurs leaves voters feeling betrayed and risks eroding the trust of the public in the election process. It reached its head in 2020 when several political betrayals caused the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan federal government.
An anti-hopping law must be introduced which includes mechanisms that allow for an MP to switch parties while also preserving the integrity of the electoral process. This may include a process for new elections when such changes happen. In any case, the main goal must be to increase transparency and curb the corrupt practices used to buy over MPs, this is where money politics must be eliminated.
Aug 3, 2022 A SEVEN-MEMBER Federal Court bench, chaired by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, has found that article 14A of the Penang state constitution is not void as it is consistent with article 10(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution. “In our view, the respondent (the Penang state legislature) was entitled to enact the law […]
Ogos 3, 2022 Mahkamah Persekutuan mengisytiharkan bahawa enakmen anti-lompat yang diluluskan oleh DUN Pulau Pinang pada 2012 menepati perlembagaan. Panel tujuh hakim yang dipengerusikan oleh Ketua Hakim Negara Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat berkata, Perkara 14A perlembagaan negeri juga tidak terbatal kerana ia konsisten dengan Perkara 10(1)(c) Perlembagaan Persekutuan. “Kami berpandangan, responden (perundangan negeri) berhak membuat […]
July 30, 2022 The intention of four states to amend their respective state Constitutions to enable the Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No. 3) 2022 to be enforced at the state level is said to be a healthy step towards strengthening democracy. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, […]
July 30, 2022 THE Sarawak attorney-general will study consequent moves following the adoption of anti-party hopping laws by the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu senior vice-president Fadillah Yusof said. He said this was because Sarawak already has a provision against party-hopping in the state constitution. However, the provision cannot be implemented as […]
July 30, 2022 SHAH ALAM (July 29): The Selangor State Legislative Assembly (DUN) is expected to table the Anti-Party Hopping Enactment Bill in the State’s Budget session in November. Selangor Assembly Speaker Ng Suee Lim said the tabling of the Bill will make the Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No 3) 2022 relating to the ban on […]
July 28, 2022 The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Anti-Party Hopping Bill today by making amendments to the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill (No. 3) 2022 on Provisions Preventing Members of Parliament from Switching Parties — or better known as the Anti-Party Hopping Bill. The bill required two thirds majority vote from MPs in Dewan Rakyat, with […]
July 27, 2022 The much-awaited anti-hopping bill is being tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for its second reading by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. This comes after months of deliberation by the parliamentary select committee tasked with drafting the bill and nearly a year after Ismail and Pakatan Harapan signed their memorandum of understanding (MoU). […]
July 25, 2022 New laws to restrict MPs from switching parties will not cover members of the upper house, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Wan Junaidi said the matter was discussed by the select committee set up to review the relevant […]
July 25, 2022 No MP from the ruling parties objected to the highly-anticipated anti-party hopping Bill during an engagement session today, de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said. He added that MPs from the Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional, and Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalitions as well as pro-government independent lawmakers only raised […]
July 25, 2022 The Anti-Party Hopping Bill will be debated on July 27 with the winding-up session to take place on July 28 if there are no outstanding issues, says Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. He said the Bill had involved many engagement sessions since […]
