Azalina warns of instability if states reject anti-hopping law

PARLIAMENT | State governments will risk instability if they refuse to adopt incoming federal laws designed to discourage MPs from defecting.

This was the warning of Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) - one of the chief proponents of the bill and a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) which reviewed the bill.

"It is my greatest fear that (there will be some) state governments (that) decide not to adopt by the amendment of the law," she said during the debate on the bill.

"This is as though there will be no 'frogs' in the federal but many frogs in the state (legislative assemblies) and there is constant change in state governments."

Azalina said this when responding to Hassan Karim (Harapan-Pasir Gudang), who interjected her speech by asking why states were not compelled to adopt the law.

She explained that the PSC explicitly decided to respect any decision of the state governments.

"We are civilised people. The state governments helmed by their menteris besar have their own rulers, so let them give their views. That's why the committee decided that we have to respect (the states)," she said.

Both Azalina and Hassan’s parliamentary constituencies are in Johor.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob

The bill will amend various provisions in the Federal Constitution to force MPs to lose their seats if they resign from a party.

Although the bill included similar rules for the 13 state assemblies by amending the eighth schedule of the Federal Constitution, it is still up to the state assemblies and rulers to adopt the new laws.

Meanwhile, Azalina credited Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for ensuring the tabling of this bill, which she said will allow for politics to be "reset".

"This bill would not have been tabled even until judgment day had it not been for Bera MP (Ismail Sabri)... He was magnanimous despite various accusations thrown at him," she said.

‘We want a foolproof bill’

Meanwhile, Anthony Loke (Harapan-Seremban) raised concern that the constitutional amendment was too general and unable to safeguard the interest of political parties.

He was referring to the part where MPs will still keep their seats if they are expelled by their parties.

"In the initial drafts by the ministers and the Attorney General's Chambers, the lawmaker will cease to be an MP for failing to toe the party line under certain circumstances, namely casting a vote of no-confidence against the premier, supply bill, or voting on an amendment of Federal Constitution."

He, however, said there was no consensus to include this part in the constitutional amendment.

"What we want is a foolproof (bill) and a stricter safeguard for the political parties," he said.

Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) pointed out that the constitutional amendment lacks sufficient punishment to deter defection among lawmakers.

He said they should be forbidden from contesting any parliamentary election for five years if they defect from their party.

"This is not harsh at all," said the former Sabah chief minister, citing the example of a Sabah MP who has joined seven parties.

Meanwhile, Nazri Abdul Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas) suggested the government implement a fixed parliamentary term to discourage defection.

This will also prevent the collapse of a government before the expiry of the parliamentary term, he said.

"The Pakatan Harapan government collapsed because Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned. If we implement a fixed parliamentary term, even if Mahathir resigns, the successor should come from Harapan.

"There will be no room for bribery, defection, and betraying the mandate of the people. We can't give an opportunity for any party to say let's have a general election in the third year as the economy is not good. This is a betrayal." - Mkini