GEORGE TOWN – Penang should convene a special state assembly sitting at the earliest possible date to amend and align state laws with the federal constitution, after amendments banning Parliament members from party-hopping receives royal assent and is gazetted.
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng said the process is expected to be completed in September and this would allow states to put the law into effect – in time for the general election.
He said DAP agrees with de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar that all states must follow the federal constitution’s format accordingly, so that federal and state laws are synchronised.
“Should such an amendment be proposed for the Penang state constitution, all state assemblymen are expected to pass the amendments unanimously with more than a two-thirds majority,” Lim said in a statement today.
Wan Junaidi said two days ago that the Constitution (Amendment) (No.3) Bill prohibiting MPs from switching parties should receive royal assent and be gazetted for implementation next month.
He said once the royal assent is received, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will issue a notification letter to all menteri besar and chief ministers to inform states of the amendments to the Eighth Schedule of the federal constitution.
“This will allow all state legislative assemblies to amend their state constitutions by including the provisions prohibiting elected leaders from switching parties, to be in line with the Eighth Schedule of the federal constitution as approved in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara,” Lim said.
The Dewan Rakyat on July 28 and the Senate on August 9 passed the proposed anti-party hopping bill with more than a two-thirds majority.
Such anti-hopping laws in place for both the Federal Parliament and State Assembly seats would generate confidence of a higher turnout amongst voters, Lim added.
“Voters no longer need to fear of a repeat betrayal of the people’s mandate, like what happened with the infamous Sheraton Move, and that the people’s vote will be honoured and respected.” – The Vibes, August 18, 2022.
