KUALA LUMPUR – Perlis will be dissolving its state assembly after tabling a bill to enact the state’s anti-party hopping law on Thursday (October 13), said state Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man.
Speaking to reporters after attending an event in Perlis today, Azlan said that the bill will be tabled in two days to amend the state’s constitution to reflect federal constitutional amendments relating to anti-party hopping provisions, which were enforced on October 5.
“(After the tabling of the bill), I will present to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail a suitable date to dissolve the state assembly so that state elections can be held concurrently with the 15th general election (GE15),” he said, as quoted by Harian Metro.
He added his hopes that the anti-party jumping enactment will be applicable to all assemblymen nominated in the upcoming national polls.
Following caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s announcement on the dissolution of Parliament yesterday, Azlan – who is also Bintong assemblyman – said that the Perlis assembly would be dissolved after receiving the consent of the state’s ruler.
He said the date of his audience with the ruler would be announced later.
Constitutional amendments regarding anti-party hopping had received royal assent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on August 31 and were subsequently published in the federal gazette on September 6.
Under the bill, MPs who jump parties 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. – The Vibes, October 11, 2022
