Wan Junaidi on anti-hopping law: Disagreements 'yes', sabotage 'no'

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has denied that the delay in the legislation of a law to discourage MPs from defecting was due to sabotage.

Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur after attending a meeting of the bipartisan Joint Steering Committee on Transformation and Political Stability, better known as the “MOU committee”, Wan Junaidi (above) conceded some in the government disagreed with the contents of the bill that was originally to be tabled on April 11.

“There is no political sabotage, just a difference in opinion among those in government,” said Wan Junaidi.

He stressed that those with a difference in opinion were not against the law in principle but certain provisions in the bill.

Members of the ‘MOU Committee’ meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur

Moving forward, Wan Junaidi said the priority now is to amend the Federal Constitution on Monday to eventually pave the way for legislation that would serve as the “anti-hopping” law.

He said he cannot comment on when the new legislation will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat because, under Standing Order 11(3), that power belongs to the prime minister after discussions with the speaker.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to hold a briefing with all MPs and senators on Sunday evening (April 10) regarding the upcoming constitutional amendment.

Earlier today, Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan denied a report by Utusan Malaysia, citing anonymous sources, that claimed Bersatu's leadership "collectively rejected" the bill.

Wan Saiful, on his Facebook page, said his party was an active participant in the engagement process to garner feedback on the bill and Bersatu supreme council member Mas Ermieyati Samsudin was involved in the drafting of the bill.

However, Wan Saiful said the party's official position on the anti-hopping law will also be made after scrutinising the bill that will eventually be laid before Parliament.

Frustrated by delay

Speculation on Bersatu's disinclination towards the proposed “anti-hopping” law came into question after the cabinet suddenly decided not to go ahead with a bill that had been repeatedly shown to MPs in recent months as part of Wan Junaidi's engagement process.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (centre) speaking during a meeting of the ‘MOU Committee’ at the Hilton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur

Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi said he was frustrated that the bill he had worked on for eight months could not be tabled on Monday.

However, as a member of the cabinet, he has to accept collective responsibility.

“My personal feelings are not important but I do feel frustrated. After working (on this) for eight months, then you come across a hitch, you will feel it.

“Everyone (in the meeting) knows that Wan Junaidi is not satisfied,” he said.

The “anti-hopping” law is a critical component of Ismail Sabri's confidence-and-supply agreement with Pakatan Harapan.

It was supposed to have been passed by Parliament during the first sitting of the year, which has already ended.- Mkini