IPOH: The Perak State Legislative Assembly is set to adopt the recently passed anti-hopping law by next month, said Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar said that a motion to amend the state constitution will be raised during the state assembly meeting in September.
“Once the Yang di-Pertuan Agong signs (consents) and it has been gazetted, we will follow suit.
“We will bring the Bill to the state assembly to be debated and voted on,” he said yesterday.
Saarani had said that the state had intended to amend its constitution to prevent state representatives from switching parties.
Meanwhile, Perak Opposition whip Dr Abdul Aziz Bari stated that Pakatan Harapan will support constitutional amendments to adopt federal anti-hopping provisions.
He said Pakatan will support such laws when they are tabled in the state assembly.
“This is something interesting and important; it will create a new political culture,” he added.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that the Prime Minister will write to all state governments, recommending that they amend their respective state constitutions in line with the federal law following amendments to the Constitution Amendment) Bill (No. 3).
In a related development, Johor Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Datuk Jefridin Atan said there are plans by the state government to follow suit with regard to the federal law on anti-hopping.
He said that when the Bill is tabled, the state assemblymen will not object because they, too, want anti-hopping legislation in place for the state.
“We will support the Bill as it will ensure political stability in the government. We have seen the impact of elected representatives crossing from one party to another, affecting the stability of the government.
“When the Bill is tabled in Johor, it will receive the full support of all assemblymen, including 16 from the Opposition side,” he said when contacted yesterday.
On July 30, senior state executive councillor Datuk Zahari Sarip said that the Johor state government will be tabling the Bill to adopt the federal law during the state assembly meeting this coming November.
Zahari, who is in charge of agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development, said that the Barisan Nasional-led government intended for anti-hopping laws to be introduced in the state much earlier but decided to wait for the Federal Government to implement them first.
“Our next state assembly is scheduled to be held in September, but since it will only be for a day, I do not think there will be enough time for us to discuss the Bill.
“So, the next suitable date would be in November, as the assembly will be held for nine days along with the state budget announcement,” he said.
