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.
July 25, 2022 ALL eyes will be on Dewan Rakyat this week, with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob facing his sternest test yet as the lower house debates anti party-hopping amendments. This is the third constitutional amendment since 2018 and Ismail’s second after coming into office on August 21 last year. Both constitutional amendments are reforms agreed between Ismail […]
July 25, 2022 The highly anticipated Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No. 3) 2022 on the prohibition of members of parliament (MPs) from party-hopping is said to be different from other laws. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the pattern of the bill would not be […]
July 23, 2022 The Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No. 3) 2022 on the prohibition of members of parliament (MPs) from party-hopping, expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat this Wednesday, is to ensure political stability. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the bill, to […]
July 19, 2022 The amendment to the Federal Constitution to pave the way for the anti-party hopping law is expected to be tabled for its second and third readings in the Dewan Rakyat on July 27 and 28. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the government would […]
July 18, 2022 MPs and state assemblymen (ADUN) who leave their parties must vacate their seats and a by-election must be held to replace them. Based on the new draft of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No 3) 2022 on the ban on elected representatives from changing parties tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today, the vacancy was […]
July 18, 2022 The Malaysian government tabled its revised anti-party hopping legislation in Parliament on Monday (July 18), just a fortnight before the expiry of its pact with the opposition bloc Pakatan Harapan (PH) to hold off calling elections. The Bill is meant to stem party defections, a major cause of political instability in previous […]
July 18, 2022 The Dewan Rakyat will be the focus of attention this morning in the expectation that the much-awaited anti-hopping bill will be tabled. The bill is a key condition in the political agreement between Putrajaya and the opposition. Charles Santiago of DAP said the contents of the bill and the “exact details” would […]
July 14, 2022 The Cabinet has approved a draft anti-hopping bill prepared by a parliamentary special select committee. In a statement, law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said no questions were raised about the matter during yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, and the draft was “unanimously” approved by the ministers. “Hence, the tabling and the debating of […]
July 13, 2022 New laws restricting MPs from switching parties can be gazetted by late August or September. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar revealed this after outlining today the latest timeline for the bill which has been delayed since March. In a statement, Wan Junaidi (above) said […]
July 13, 2022 The draft of the Bill to amend the Federal Constitution to enable the prevention of party-hopping among parliamentary members (MPs) has been finalised and scheduled to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat this July 18. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this was decided by […]
