PM must set new date to table anti-party hopping law, says Pakatan council

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri has been urged to set a date for the special Parliament session to table the anti-party hopping law.

The Pakatan Harapan presidential council also said that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar must also give a clear explanation in Parliament on the core principles of the proposed law.

A special meeting of Parliament has been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday (April 11 and 12) to table a Constitution (Amendments) Bill involving the enactment of an enabling clause under Article 10 to allow a new Act prohibiting MPs from switching parties.

A second special sitting would then be scheduled to table the anti-party hopping Bill.

In a joint statement on Friday (April 8), the PH council said it believed "that through the passing of the Constitution amendment and the anti-party hopping law, the confidence of the rakyat towards the election process and parliamentary democracy practices will be restored."

The statement was signed by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, and Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.

The council also reiterated its stance that the passing of the anti-party hopping law in Parliament was among the main conditions of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government.

"Pakatan will not compromise on this matter," it said.

"We also understand the need to amend Article 10 of the Constitution to allow an enabling clause to enact the anti-party hopping law.

"Therefore, Pakatan will fully support the Constitution amendment Bill on Monday," it noted.

However, it also said the main condition of expediting the draft of the anti-party hopping Bill was stressed at the MoU steering committee meeting on Thursday (April 7).

"The Opposition conveyed its stand to the Prime Minister," it added.

On Thursday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Monday's sitting will proceed with the tabling of the Constitution amendment Bill but the Prime Minister will decide on the date for the second special sitting to table, debate and approve the anti-party hopping law.