KUALA LUMPUR – Former deputy speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN) has submitted two bills related to the government’s proposed anti-party hopping law.
In a statement, she said the two bills are the Federal Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2021 and the Regulation of Party Hopping and Political Accountability Bill 2021.
She said this marks her second submission of an anti-party hopping bill after the first submission in September was not read in Parliament.
The Umno Supreme Council member added that the Regulation of Party Hopping and Political Accountability Bill 2021 will allow MPs to be recalled by their constituents if they defect from their parties.
Furthermore, lawmakers will also face the same measures if they have lower than 50% attendance in Parliament sittings for six consecutive months, or commit a serious criminal offence.
“These bills are an effort to reinstate decent politics in Malaysia, ensure post-election political stability, and return confidence in the electoral and democratic system to voters,” she said.
Azalina also urged MPs from the government and opposition, who pledged an anti-hopping mechanism in their memorandum of understanding on political stability, to ensure the bills will be tabled for debate.
“Modify or defeat them with a better alternative, if necessary, but do not let Malaysians down by delaying and denying them a legal tool to hold elected representatives accountable,” she said.
Azalina said the commitment of both the government and Pakatan Harapan towards the anti-hopping laws would be seriously questioned if the bills are buried at the bottom of the government's agenda.
She added that burying the issue would invite cynicism, demoralise voters, and erode confidence in parliamentary democracy.
“We must walk the talk. Put an end to this ‘frog colony’.” – The Vibes, November 16, 2021
