Anti-hopping bill likely to be tabled in July: Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR – The government is looking to table the anti-party hopping bill in July’s Dewan Rakyat sitting if the lower House passes the required constitutional amendments tomorrow, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Speaking to the press at Putrajaya after a briefing with members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara here, he said the debate and tabling of the amendments to Article 10 of the federal constitution will take place at Dewan Rakyat tomorrow.

Addressing concerns that the constitutional amendment may restrict freedom of association, he said it will not be the case as it will only affect MPs and assemblymen on their right to join political parties.

The prime minister refuted speculations of dissenting views over the amendments, saying that all government and Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties will provide their support.

Ismail Sabri also highlighted the possibility of including senators in the amendment and that the government is agreeable to the proposal.

However, the amendment may be presented in Parliament at another time, unless the Dewan Rakyat sets aside the required 14-day notice for it to be tabled tomorrow.

He added that a special committee, comprising government and opposition representatives as well as constitutional experts, has been formed to determine proposals for the bill.

“We hope to table the legislation at the July parliamentary session, but it will depend on how quickly the special committee can present its proposals to the cabinet.

“If the cabinet agrees with the proposals, the bill will be tabled in Parliament. We have no intention to delay or prevent it from happening.”

PH today snubbed the briefing, preferring to hold one separately, but Ismail Sabri noted that five opposition MPs were present at the government session. They were Wong Kah Woh (Ipoh Timur), Ma’mun Sulaiman (Kalabakan), Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching), Datuk Rosman Isli (Labuan), and Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar).

The tabling of the bill and related constitutional amendment has not been a smooth process as the matter has been deferred more than once.

On Thursday, The Vibes reported that the federal government faced opposition from Bersatu, especially on what defines “party-hopping”.

Earlier, Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had said the tabling of the bill had been deferred and only the debate on the constitutional amendment would take place tomorrow. – The Vibes, April 10, 2022