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KUALA LUMPUR – Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle amplified their calls for the anti-party hopping law bill to be tabled immediately by the government to ensure political stability moving forward.
Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill in Dewan Rakyat, said the introduction of the new law would also restore confidence in foreign investors and promote a healthy parliamentary democratic system.
He claimed the country’s reputation has deteriorated because of party-hopping that led to the infamous Sheraton Move coup and how such scenarios must be avoided in the future with the proposed law as a solution.
Mohamad, also known as Mat Sabu, even threatened to take to the streets if the government refused to table the bill during the current Dewan Rakyat sitting.
“If the act is not introduced in this parliamentary sitting, me and my friends will return to the streets to press the government, because it appears that we are ignored when we speak in and demand in Parliament.
“It is as though they (the government) prefer seeing hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets before they will listen to their demands,” he said.
The Kota Raja MP said recent state elections being triggered was not only indicative of the political instability, but have also caused wastage, with funds spent on something that he described as unnecessary.
“These forced elections, held during the Covid-19 pandemic, cost a lot, and this is a result of the Sheraton Move and those who betrayed parliamentary democracy.
“That is why it is important to expedite tabling the act, because if they refuse, we will see our country fall into darkness where there will be no more respect given towards Parliament and the democratic system,” he said.
Echoing him from across the aisle was Umno’s Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, saying there was no excuse for the government to further delay the tabling.
The Padang Rengas MP asserted that while several cabinet ministers may not all agree with the provisions of the bill, the government should still table the proposed law to be debated and tweaked if required.
“The fact that the ministers’ views are not aligned is not important, but what is important is that the bill must be tabled, debated, and passed in this hall.
“We must take the first step to introduce it, and from there, whatever weaknesses or what is deemed unfair, we can alter it, and I am sure 100% of the lawmakers will support the act.
“(This is) unless they are really party hoppers, which are a minority,” he quipped.
On March 1, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob gave his assurance for the law to be tabled the following week.
Last Friday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the tabling of the bill was pending feedback from Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional colleagues, which was delayed due to the recent Johor election. – The Vibes, March 22, 2022
