Wan Junaidi to chair parliamentary committee on anti-hopping constitutional amendments

KUALA LUMPUR – Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar today announced himself as chairman of the parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) tasked with scrutinising constitutional amendments and definitions needed to introduce any anti-hopping legislation.

He read out the list of 11 committee members selected to scrutinise the required amendments during his winding-up speech this evening in Parliament, while also establishing other issues such as the definition of a party-hopper.

The PSSC, he said, will also establish if Article 48(6) of the federal constitution, which prohibits any defecting lawmaker from competing in an election for five years, should be abolished.

Government-friendly representatives in the committee include two from Umno; Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman and Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz; Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin from Bersatu; Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan of PAS; and Lukanisman Awang Sauni of Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

Representatives from the opposition include DAP’s Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, PKR’s Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Kulim-Bandar Baharu), Amanah’s Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (Tuaran), and Warisan’s deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking (Penampang).

Wan Junaidi added that the PSSC has been given a month to present its findings to Parliament but said it will have the autonomy to decide on the frequency of proceedings and whether a deadline extension would be required.

“The PSCC will also be able to invite anyone they see fit onto the committee’s proceedings, which can either be other MPs, legislative or legal experts, non-governmental organisations or civil society groups, or any individual they see fit.”

Additionally, he said other pending matters such as constitutional provisions to limit a prime minister’s tenure to two terms would also be discussed by the PSSC.

“Whether or not the amendment (limiting the PM’s term) will be brought and tabled together with the anti-hopping law, I was told it would have to be studied by the PSSC first before the next step is taken,” he added. – The Vibes, April 11, 2022