KUALA LUMPUR – A PAS lawmaker today suggested that a parliamentary select committee be given the power to decide whether or not a seat should be vacated in the event an MP defects from their party.
Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (Kuala Krai-PAS) said this is to provide an opportunity to the affected MPs or assemblymen to explain the motivation behind their decision to quit their party after being elected by the rakyat.
“This is my proposal. MPs or assemblymen should be referred to the select committee to provide a reasonable excuse for their defection or changing of party,” he said when debating the proposed constitutional amendment on party hopping.
To ensure there is no deadlock during the voting, Latiff said the select committee should be made up of an odd number of representatives, and should also include the Dewan Rakyat speaker.
He also suggested that if a lawmaker vacates his seat, he should be allowed to contest in a re-election.
Party leaders should also be given the power to declare vacancy of a parliamentary or state seat to the speaker if an MP or assemblyman has been sacked, he added.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PAS) raised questions on what the proposed anti-hopping law will mean for a sitting prime minister if he is sacked from his own party while helming the administration.
Noting that the appointment of a prime minister is made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, based on his satisfaction of majority support, Ahmad Fadhli asked if a political party or its leaders have the power to supersede the king.
“When the Agong chooses any MP as prime minister, whom he deems has majority support but is not the leader of his party, can the party president then sack the prime minister?"
“Under the anti-hopping law, the prime minister will no longer be the MP, subsequently disqualifying him as prime minister. So, does the power of a political party supersede that of the Agong?
“It appears impossible, but it can happen, even today. This needs clarification,” he said. – The Vibes, April 11, 2022
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