No consensus on what defines anti-hopping, says Wan Junaidi

 

Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said each political party may have their own definition of what it means and what it covers.

PETALING JAYA: While it is imperative to have an anti-hopping law to ensure confidence and good governance, there is no consensus on the term “anti-hopping”, law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said today.

He said each political party may have their own definition of what it means and what it covers.

“Is it simply hopping from one party to another or from one coalition to another? How about unregistered and independent members who were expelled from parties? Is that considered party-hopping?” he asked during an Agenda Awani segment on Stabilising Malaysia’s Democracy today.

He pointed out that unless proper and adequate engagement on the issue with relevant stakeholders was held, it would be difficult to formulate an anti-hopping law.

“I have received so much feedback on forming an anti-hopping law and although the attorney-general and I have managed to iron out most questions, there are about 20 or so that are still unanswered,” he said.

Wan Junaidi added that these unanswered questions all go back to the definition of anti-hopping.

“That is why we must engage with all party leaders to clarify this term before the next parliamentary sitting,” he said.

Previously, Wan Junaidi had said that the government was also looking at anti-hopping laws that had been enacted in India, Singapore, the UK and New Zealand.

“However, we realised that these models won’t fit our Constitution. Adopting them would require significant amendments, which is not feasible,” he said. - FMT