By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Nov 24 — Several state assemblymen have expressed their support for the motion to implement the anti-party hopping bill to uphold the mandate of the people and avoid repeated betrayal.
Balakong state assemblyman Wong Siew Kii said the amendment to the enactment should have been implemented sooner to ensure the political stability of the state and the country.
“The voice of the people must always be respected and taken into consideration. If the number of votes cast in each election serves as a measure of their voice, then it is our job as state policymakers to make sure that no elected representative violates the mandate given in any way.
“The only aspect of this amendment that I am concerned of is that those who are expelled from their political parties would still be able to serve as a state assemblyman as it is not subject to this bill,” she said when debating the amendment to the enactment of the Selangor Government State Constitution (Amendment) 2022 during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting, here yesterday.
Wong had also supported the recommendation made by Seri Kembangan state representative to create a law modeled after the Fixed-Term Parliament Act of the United Kingdom so that no party can call for an election at their own will.
“By developing and enforcing this rule, Selangor should also serve as a model for the rest of Malaysia, including the federal government.
“Let Selangor demonstrate to the entire nation how the concept of justice, equality, and political stability is practised in one state,” she stated.
Banting state assemblyman Lau Weng San said that if and elected state representative leaves his or her party or stops being active in politics, their position must be vacated as soon as a date is determined by the speaker according to Clause (3) of the revised Article 65A.
“After giving up his or her seat in the state assembly, the state assemblyman in question would then be eligible to re-contest in the election again at any time.
“Therefore, it does not apply to losing the ability to become a state assemblyman for another five years,” he said.
Yesterday, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari had tabled the motion for the amendment to the state constitution to prevent political party hopping by state representatives to ensure the continued stability of the state administration and to align with the Anti-Party Hopping Law that was passed in Parliament on July 28.
The Constitutional (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 2022 on Provisions Preventing Members of Parliament from Switching Parties came into force on October 5 after obtaining the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on August 31 and was gazetted as Act A1663 on September 6.
