The Malaysian Insight

THE Constitution (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 2022 (Act A1663) that prohibits MPs from switching parties will come into effect tomorrow, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said.

The act was gazetted on September 6, he said.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has agreed that the act will take effect on October 5, in line with sections 1(2) and 1(3),” Wan Junaidi said in a statement.

“With the enforcement date, section 7A of the eighth schedule, clause 6 article 48, article 160 and clause 3A article 10 as well as article 49A can be enforced immediately.

“This further allows the application of Act A1663 at the state level, subject to the consent of the sultan or governor.”

The anti-party hopping bill was passed with a two-thirds majority on July 28.

The bill is one of the main components in the memorandum of understanding on transformation and political stability inked by the government and Pakatan Harapan in September last year.

It prevents MPs from switching parties for personal gain, which contributes to political instability.

Since 2018, there have been 39 lawmakers who have switched sides, leading to two changes of the federal government. – October 4, 2022.