Bipartisan caucus seeks to end party-hopping

Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz has been appointed to lead a new bipartisan parliamentary caucus on electoral reform that would find ways to put a stop to “party-hopping”.

Interparliamentary Union Malaysia chairperson Anthony Loke said the IPU Malaysia meeting today unanimously backed Nazri’s appointment, and the caucus would need six months to table proposals to the government.

Nazri said the caucus would call on experts in related fields to discuss ways to address the problem.

“We feel compelled to form a caucus to stop the embarrassing actions of certain MPs who have made the country unstable through party-hopping.

“That is the problem we faced more than 30 years ago. Although the court had decided that an anti-hopping law cannot be enacted because it violates human rights, this caucus will find the best solution to handle the matter.

“I don’t know which party doesn’t agree with anti-hopping laws. To me, they (the defectors) have prostituted themselves,” he told a press conference at the parliament building today.

He said such action should not happen in 2020 as the country strives towards developed nation status.

“What example are we setting for the youths? MPs who defect after being elected in a general election is, to me, the most despicable act,” he added.

Meanwhile, Loke said the caucus was established today following Nazri’s suggestion while debating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech in Parliament.

Nazri had urged for electoral reform to stop the practice of party-hopping, such as by adopting the party-list system.

“His views have received reactions and support from various parties in parliament including Pakatan Harapan MPs,” Loke told the press conference.

He said Dewan Rakyat Azhar Azizan Harun has also been informed about the formation of the new caucus and has agreed to it.

“We will call on academics, NGOs, and suitable individuals to give their views on improving the electoral system.

“We want to stop any MP from defecting after winning an election on their party’s capacity,” he said. - Mkini