[UPDATED] Anti-hopping bill good start, but doesn’t address money politics: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – Although the tabling of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2022 is a good start, it does not make it compulsory for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate allegations of money politics, which could lead to party hopping, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH).

Debating the bill in the lower House today, the PKR president also pressed the anti-graft body on the apparent lack of investigations into allegations of corruption in politics.

“There must be something wrong, if not, why would there be an amendment?

“This is a matter about the dignity and integrity of MPs. They have promised the people, then they ‘change’ (party hop) because of money and positions.

“Those who have accepted money and positions must be probed. However, until today, no investigations have been conducted.”

Citing the Sheraton Move, the PKR chief claimed that MACC kept mum on the matter without investigating or recording statements.

“I think there are not only weaknesses in terms of hopping and defecting (parties), but also in terms of the management and authority of enforcement agencies, including the MACC.”

Today, the Dewan Rakyat is debating the historic bill as it finally sees light after months of engagement involving MPs from both sides of the aisle.

The bill was drafted by the parliamentary select committee and printed by Parliament and not the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Anti-Party Hopping Bill is set to contain several exceptions, including for MPs who may be fired from their parties, and if a party is disbanded or cancels its registration.

Another exception involved the exit of MPs from their parties when they are chosen to be the Dewan Rakyat speaker as this will not fall under party-hopping.

Elaborating further on the matter, Anwar said the issue of party hopping is an age-old issue and it has been happening since 1961 which resulted in the fall of the PAS government in Terengganu.

“However, it did not become a lesson because that same party colluded and allowed this matter to happen.

“Therefore, this is the issue of an MP’s dignity and integrity until it was publicised that there were ‘Members of Parliament for sale’.

“This is not only an issue of betrayal, treachery or party hopping. The issue that should be known by the prime minister and MACC is that it involves bribery and fraud.”

 It is estimated that a total of 55 lawmakers will take part in the two-day debate. – The Vibes, July 27, 2022