JOHOR BARU: Johor Pakatan Harapan elected representatives should refer to their national leaders if uncertain about the anti-party hopping law, says state Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.
The Benut assemblyman, who is also the state Umno chief, added that the anti-party hopping law had gone through the necessary procedures at the federal level before it was passed at both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.
He said this after the Johor state assembly rejected the forming of a special committee to study and provide recommendations about the anti-party hopping law at the state level mooted by Pakatan.
“Prior to tabling the Bill, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar made a series of discussions with Barisan.
“Even Pakatan parties such as PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara were also involved in the discussions before the Federal Government tabled it,” Hasni said in a press conference here on Thursday (Sept 22).
He added that the state Barisan saw the Bill as having undergone various comprehensive measures including being reviewed by all parties.
“Barisan even included the anti-party hopping law as part of our manifesto during the Johor state polls to show that we are supporting the Bill to be implemented in the state.
“If they (state Pakatan assemblymen) do not understand the Bill, then they should refer the matter to their national leaders. There should be greater cooperation between state and national leaders,” he added.
He said that the state government would fully adopt the format of the federal anti-party hopping law when it is tabled at the Johor state assembly soon.
“Hopefully, when the state government tabled the anti-party hopping law, it will also get full support from all elected representatives in the August house,” he said.
Earlier, the motion, brought by DAP’s Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim, was rejected by the majority of the 56 lawmakers at the one-day state assembly sitting at Kota Iskandar.
The motion called for a committee to be formed to conduct research and provide recommendations regarding the anti-party hopping enactment at the state level.
On July 28, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No. 3) 2022 to prevent party hopping by MPs.
The constitutional amendments were subsequently approved by the Dewan Negara on Aug 9.
