PSSC focusing on anti-party hopping law ahead of July Parliament meeting

PETALING JAYA: Parliament Special Select Committee (PSSC) is focusing its efforts on the anti-party hopping bill before Parliament meets again in July, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

The meeting comes after the Attorney General's Department submitted its draft on the proposed anti-hopping law to the PSSC on Thursday (May 12), said the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"The committee will meet again on May 19 after going through in detail the draft submitted by the AG's Department," he said in a statement on Friday. (May 13).

The bi-partisan PSSC met on Thursday (May 12) to review feedback, including written submissions by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), social and political bodies including academic experts on the issue.

The government had initially intended to table amendments to the Federal Constitution to deal with the issue of party-hopping in March this year.

This drew much criticism and heated debate in the Dewan Rakyat, resulting in the government fixing April 11 for a one-day special sitting to table the anti-hopping Bill in Parliament.

Instead, the Bill was read and debated by lawmakers who agreed to refer to the matter to the PSSP for further deliberation.

Several parties, including Umno, have linked the anti-hopping law to the July 31 deadline under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the government and Pakatan Harapan opposition bloc last September.

The MOU was aimed at ensuring political stability, with the Opposition agreeing not to push for snap elections before July 31 this year.

On Monday (May 9), DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said that Pakatan is willing to negotiate with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on extending the MOU after July 31 if the anti-party hopping law is passed in Parliament.

The current administration has till mid-September next year to hold the next 15th General Election.

Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi, who is also PSSP chief, said the draft of the proposed law would also be tabled to the Parliamentary Steering Committee on political transformation and stability.

Members of the PSSP include Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang), Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas), Datuk Seri Hamzah bin Zainudin (PN-Larut), Datuk Seri Takiyuddin bin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) and Lukanisman Awang Sauni (GPS-Sibuti).

Also members are Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong), Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (PH-Sepang), Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (Upko-Tuaran), Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution (PH-Kulim-Bandar Baharu) and Datuk Ignatius Dorell Leiking (Warisan-Penampang).

Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to meet from July 18 till Aug 4.