MCA sec-gen: Tabling Bill to curb party-hopping before Dewan Rakyat session ends will restore public confidence
PETALING JAYA: The government should accelerate the tabling of the anti-party-hopping Bill before the current Parliament session concludes to uphold the democratic system and re-establish public confidence, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
The MCA secretary-general said this important piece of legislation must be enacted as soon as possible, because curbing party-hopping behaviour among elected representatives was critical to the nation’s political stability and development.
“Before the current Parliament session concludes, either the anti-hopping or recall laws should be brought up for debate in order to re-establish public confidence in our nation’s democratic system.
“Despite the fact that this significant policy reform would require constitutional amendments, the government should show its resolve and commitment to settling any technical issues that arise.
“The current Parliament session will conclude on March 24, leaving only one day for the Bill’s introduction, unless Parliament is extended,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 23).
Chong added that regardless of the Bill’s form, whether it is an anti-party-hopping or recall law, there has been a broad consensus on both sides of the divide against party-hopping behaviour, as well as support from the public for such reforms.
“Therefore, before the next general election, the Bill should be introduced and passed as soon as possible to prevent certain politicians from engaging in this behaviour which is destructive to democracy.
“Party-hopping has been a source of contention in our politics for many years, most recently with a surge in its prevalence over the last two years causing significant political distress.
“As a result, people’s lives and livelihoods have been severely affected and their hopes for a democratic Malaysia were dashed,” he said.
In September, the government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pakatan Harapan aimed at bringing about reforms and political stability.
Among the points of agreement was that the Opposition would not push for an early general election before July 31.
One of the reforms included the tabling of anti-party-hopping laws.
A special bipartisan committee was set up to look into the issue.
Last month, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar assured that the proposed Bill would be tabled during the current Dewan Rakyat meeting.
Wan Junaidi had hinted that amendments to the Federal Constitution would be done to stop party-hopping rather than passing a specific law for the purpose.
But on March 19, Wan Junaidi announced that the tabling of the proposed amendments would be delayed or held during a special Dewan Rakyat meeting.
He said the Cabinet was of the opinion that the proposed Bill required further consultations through engagement sessions with stakeholders, particularly Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.