‘Historic day’ proves PH hasn’t compromised on principles, says Loke

 

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook says the anti-hopping bill will be the result of the MoU signed between the federal government and PH. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has described today’s special Dewan Rakyat sitting as a “historic day” and proof that Pakatan Harapan has not compromised on its principles with its memorandum of understanding with Putrajaya.

Loke (PH-Seremban) maintained that PH had stayed true to fighting for reforms through the MoU, reiterating that the enactment of an anti-hopping law was among the key criteria for its pact with the government.

“This is a historic day in Malaysia’s Parliament because today we will begin the process of enacting an anti-party hopping bill. This constitutional amendment is an enabler for this bill’s enactment.

“This is the result of the MoU between the federal government and PH.

“This proves that when PH signed the MoU with the government, it was not about us compromising on our principles or being sell-outs,” he told the Dewan Rakyat when debating the proposed amendment to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

Previously, Warisan and Pejuang leaders and political observers had criticised PH for signing the MoU with the Ismail Sabri Yaakob-led government.

This included Warisan president Shafie Apdal who questioned whether PH was capable of functioning as a strong opposition by entering into this MoU.

The proposed amendment to Article 10 contains a new clause that provides the power for federal laws to be enacted to restrict the membership in a political party.

The government has said that the Constitution must be amended to provide the power to table the anti-hopping bill, which opposition parties have clamoured for.

The bill was tabled by law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. - FMT