[UPDATED] Top party leaders among 11 MPs absent from anti-hopping vote today

KUALA LUMPUR – It appears top political party leaders were among the 11 lawmakers who were absent from the lower House during the historic vote on the bill to outlaw party-hopping today.

According to MPs contacted by The Vibes, among the notable absentees are PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (Marang-PAS), Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (Tambun-Bersatu), and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (Tapah-BN).

Deputy Economic Minister Datuk Eddin Syazlee Shith (Kuala Pilah-Bersatu) was also not in the house during voting today.

An aide to Faizal said the youth and sports minister skipped the Dewan proceedings as he is currently in the United Kingdom attending the Commonwealth Games, while The Vibes is trying to ascertain the reasons behind the absence of the other MPs.

From the opposition bench, Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam-PH) was one of those unable to take part in the voting, as he had to represent the Selangor government on behalf of the menteri besar for an event in Dublin, Ireland.

When contacted, he said he would also be delivering a special keynote speech tomorrow at Durham University, the institution where he obtained his PhD from.

Teh Kok Lim (Taiping-PH) was also absent after testing positive for Covid-19, while Wong Tack (Bentong-PKR) is ill.

It is also learnt that Datuk Mohammaddin Ketapi (Lahad Datu-Independent), Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang-Bersatu), and Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (Tumpat-PAS) were also absent from the lower House today.

Mordi Bimol (Mas Gading-PH) is the last MP identified that was not present in the Dewan Rakyat today. However, the exact cause of his absence is still being verified.

The Dewan Rakyat had earlier today unanimously passed the constitutional amendments to outlaw party-hopping via a bloc vote.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun said all 209 MPs present supported the bill during the vote at the second reading of the policy stage, while 11 were absent.

A similar figure was recorded for the third and final reading.

“Congratulations to all of you for creating history today,” Azhar said in announcing the result of the vote today.

The Constitution (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2022 requires a two-thirds majority for it to pass the lower House.

Unlike most other bills, the anti-hopping legislation needs not go through the committee stage of the Dewan Rakyat, as it was reported directly from the special parliamentary select committee before being tabled in the House.

The document will now be tabled, debated, and voted for in the Senate, before obtaining the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s approval to be gazetted into federal law.

Under the bill, MPs who party-hop will have to vacate their seats, and by-elections will then be held to elect new representatives.

The bill, however, stipulates several exceptions, including MPs who are fired from their parties, and if a party is disbanded or cancels its registration.

MPs who are later appointed as Dewan Rakyat speaker will also not lose their seats. – The Vibes, July 28, 2022

Additional reporting by Danial Dzulkifly