Parliament approves motion to refer proposed constitutional amendment to special select committee

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has approved the motion to refer the proposed Constitution (Amendment) (No.3) Bill 2022 to a special select committee for further scrutiny.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said a special select committee would look into and focus on the interpretation of the prohibition for lawmakers to change parties.

He added that this is related to Clause 2 (c) and Clause 3 to enable restrictions on the right to form associations.

The proposal to abolish Article 48 (6) of the Constitution or any other required Amendments would be looked into by the special select committee, added the Minister.

The special select committee will be chaired by Wan Junaidi himself and will consist of 10 other MPs, namely Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Barisan-Pengerang), Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz (Barisan-Padang Rengas), and Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Perikatan-Larut).

Others are Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Perikatan-Kota Bharu), Lukanisman Awang Sauni (GPS-Sibuti), Gobind Singh Deo (Pakatan-Puchong), Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Pakatan-Sepang), Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (Pakatan-Tuaran), Datuk Seri Saifudin Nasution (Pakatan-Kulim), and Datuk Ignatius Dorell Leiking (Warisan-Penampang).

Wan Junaidi said the special select committee may also invite other MPs or legal and constitutional experts, NGOs, civil societies and also other individuals to attend the special select committee proceedings from time to time.

"This committee has the right to set the schedule of proceedings, whether in Parliament or other suitable places,” said Wan Junaidi.

"The Parliament chief administrator must prepare financial expenses as well as other proceeding needs, such as a venue, equipment, refreshments and others," added the Santubong MP.

Initially, a constitutional amendment involving Article 10(1) was slated to be voted on and passed in the House on Monday (April 11).

However, on Monday morning, Wan Junaidi said the constitutional amendment involving Article 10 would not be voted on in the House.

Wan Junaidi said the decision to defer voting on the constitutional amendment was made following a meeting chaired between Ismail Sabri and Pakatan’s top leadership on Monday morning, which also agreed on the setting up of a special select committee.

The anti-party-hopping Bill is expected to be tabled in the coming Parliament session that begins from July 18 to Aug 4.