Anti-party hopping bill to be tabled on April 11: Wan Junaidi

KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat will debate the anticipated anti-party hopping bill on April 11, Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar told the Dewan Rakyat today.

“I had a conversation with the prime minister and he said the sitting will take place on April 11, and we will be debating the anti-party hopping bill,” he said.

Wan Junaidi was responding to a query by Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, who despite Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s assurance yesterday he would call for a special sitting, pressed the law minister for a specific date.

“Do not worry, the PM has given me his assurance that we will debate this bill and let the MPs decide if they want to support it or not.

“He said if one day is insufficient, the sitting can even go on for two days,” Wan Junaidi said, prompting cheers from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

This follows an announcement by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke yesterday, who said Ismail Sabri has given his assurance that the new bill will be tabled and debated during a special sitting next month.

Apart from Loke, the others present were Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the latter representing party president and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Despite the proposed date coming amid the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Wan Junaidi assured there would not be any issue with continuing Parliament sittings during the holy month.

“We do not have an issue with the sitting happening during fasting month, because as good Muslims, you should be able to carry out your usual duties despite fasting,” he added.

The Muslim fasting month this year will take place starting April 3.

Calls for the anti-party hopping bill have intensified as the current Parliament sitting progressed, with Amanah’s Mohamad even threatening to take to the streets if the government fails to table the bill.

Previously, Wan Junaidi 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 24, 2022