The Malaysian Insight

PUTRAJAYA should speed up the process of enacting an anti-party hopping law by setting up a parliamentary select committee, said Nazri Aziz.

“Politicians, be they members of Parliament or senators, have become hated as a result of party hopping. 
 
“Although Barisan Nasional was successful in the Malacca state elections last weekend, it was an unnecessary election during this epidemic,” said the Padang Rengas lawmaker during the Supply Bill 2022 committee stage debate today.
 
“As such, I hope that the government will set up a select committee that will be chaired by Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun to speed up the passing of an anti-party hopping law,” said the former law and parliament minister.
 
He said that each political party can send a representative to the select committee to finalise the issue.
 
The Malacca state elections were triggered last month after four government state assemblymen withdrew their support from then Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali. 

In last Saturday’s elections, Barisan Nasional romped home with 21 seats.  Pakatan Harapan picked up five seats while Perikatan Nasional won two seats
 
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said last week that the government is planning to table a series of constitutional amendments next July, including on the issue of party hopping.
 
The Santubong MP said the amendments will also limit the tenure of the prime minister.
 
“This is in our CSA (Confidence and Supply Agreement between the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition and the government) which I am required to implement, at least must be tabled, before or during the July meeting,” he said during the winding-up debate on the Supply Bill 2022 at the policy level. – November 22, 2021.