Johor assembly rejects anti-hopping law special committee proposal

 

The Johor legislative assembly today rejected a motion to discuss the proposed formation of a special select committee to carry out a study on the anti-party hopping enactment in Johor.

Speaker Mohd Puad Zarkashi said 37 assemblypersons from the government bloc voted against the motion, while 13 from the opposition bloc voted in favour and two abstained.

Three assemblypersons were absent when the bloc voting took place at the sitting today.

The motion was brought forth by Marina Ibrahim (Skudai) and was seconded by Chiong Sen Sern (Bukit Batu). It was debated by Anuar Abd Manap (Pemanis) and Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain (Mahkota) from the government bloc, while Chiong and Amira Aisya Abd Aziz (Puteri Wangsa) represented the opposition.

In debating the motion, Anuar said the constitutional amendment which prevents members of Parliament from switching parties, better known as the anti-party hopping law, was already complete and need not be studied, hence making it unnecessary to form the committee.

“As policymakers, it’s better for us to really understand the lawmaking process. Now, don’t go saying that BN assemblypersons rejected the enactment. We do not reject the enactment, what we rejected was the proposed discussion to form the committee to carry out the study.

“...let’s not waste our time discussing matters pertaining to the law that is already complete and just waiting to be included in our State Constitution,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chong said it was important for politicians to respect the mandate given by the people and not switch parties after being elected.

“This is for the voters. We cannot have what we had after the last general election again. Political frogs are giving the country a bad name. Malaysia does not need politicians who think only about their personal gains rather than the interests of the voters,” he said.

On April 16, Johor Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz was reported to have said that the Johor government will refine and implement the anti-party hopping enactment in the state.

At the federal level, the anti-party hopping law was gazetted on Sept 6 after receiving the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah on Aug 31 and is expected to be enforced soon.

The state assembly sitting was then adjourned sine die.

- Bernama