PM to call another special Parliament meeting on 'anti-hopping' law

 

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has pledged to call a second special Dewan Rakyat meeting by the end of next month, according to Pakatan Harapan.

That special meeting will deal with the requisite constitutional amendments and a bill specifically addressing defections by lawmakers.

This pledge was made during a meeting between Harapan leaders, Ismail Sabri (above) and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, according to Harapan’s presidential council in a statement today.

The council said it had informed the government of its position that any amendments to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution must be refined further and that Article 48(6) also needs to be amended.

Article 48(6) disqualifies any person from being a lawmaker for five years after that person resigns from being a member of a legislature.

Harapan’s presidential council said that during the meeting, it was agreed that all these matters and the draft “anti-hopping” bill will be scrutinised by a new Parliamentary Select Committee.

Harapan’s position was corroborated by Wan Junaidi, who told the Dewan Rakyat this morning that the PSC would be formed today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar

However, Wan Junaidi said the date for the next Dewan Rakyat meeting to deliberate on the outcome of PSC’s work will be “after Hari Raya”.

The Harapan presidential council statement today further indicated that the constitutional amendment bill tabled by Wan Junaidi today will not be voted on.

Previously, Harapan had worked together with the government to draft the “anti-hopping” bill through various committees and engagement sessions.

However, on April 6, the cabinet suddenly made changes to the bill. This prompted Harapan to change its position as well.

The “anti-hopping” law and term limits for the prime minister are two key pieces of legislation promised by Ismail Sabri in his confidence-and-supply agreement with Harapan.

Both laws were supposed to be delivered during the first meeting of the Dewan Rakyat. That deadline lapsed last month. - Mkini