The Melaka State Legislative Assembly has given approval to the Melaka State Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2023, which will allow anti-party hopping legislation to be implemented. The motion for this proposed amendment received support from 24 out of 28 assemblymen during the assembly sitting on Monday (July 31), after being tabled by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
Ab Rauf, who represents BN-Tanjung Bidara, stated that the Bill aligns with federal-level law and decisions made by the top leadership. He also emphasized that this Bill introduces a new dimension to the state’s political landscape.
The passage of this amendment signifies Melaka’s commitment to addressing the issue of party hopping, which has been a challenge in the state’s political climate. By enacting legislations against party hopping, lawmakers aim to maintain political stability and ensure elected representatives remain loyal to the parties that they were initially aligned with.
Party hopping, or the act of elected representatives switching parties after an election, has often resulted in political instability, public distrust, and an erosion of democratic values. With the passing of this Bill, Melaka joins other states in Malaysia that have implemented anti-party hopping laws.
The amendment is expected to deter elected representatives from changing affiliations without valid reasons, and it serves as a deterrent against opportunistic politics. It reinforces the importance of party loyalty and the significance of upholding the mandate received from the electorate.
This new legislation underlines the commitment of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly in strengthening democratic principles and ensuring the stability of the state’s political landscape. It reaffirms the assembly’s determination to maintain public confidence in the democratic process by discouraging party hopping among elected representatives.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
