KUALA LUMPUR: There could still be room for improvements to the anti-party hopping laws, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said that the Madani government remains committed to strengthening the law.
“Consequently, the Madani government is open to proposals aimed at improving the anti-hopping law to enable amendments to Article 49A of the Federal Constitution,” he said in a written reply to a question by Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 15).
The anti-hopping law came into force on Sept 6 two years ago following amendments to the Federal Constitution, particularly Article 49A with regard to the status of an MP with regard to party hopping.
Among the main implications of the law is that an MP would lose his seat if he or she resigns from his political party or ceases to be a member of that party.
The MP will also lose his or her seat is they decide to become an Independent in the Dewan Rakyat.
The anti-hopping law will not apply if an MP is sacked by his or her political party.
There had been calls for the anti-hopping laws to be reviewed owing to weaknesses following the issue involving six rogue Bersatu MPs who had pledged support for Anwar.
On June 20, Bersatu submitted a notice to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, requesting that the six parliamentary seats be vacated.
The notice was submitted based on the provisions of Article 49A(1)(a)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which states that an MP shall cease to be a Member of Parliament and their seat becomes vacant when they are no longer a member of a political party.
The six were said to have ceased to be party members after failing to heed the party’s decision to pledge loyalty to Bersatu following amendments to the party’s constitution.
On July 10, Johari decided that the five MPs need not vacate their seats although they had ceased to be members of Bersatu because the amendments to the party’s constitution were unconstitutional.
Johari said he had conducted studies and read all statements regarding Article 49 of the Federal Constitution before deciding on the matter.
The five are Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkaperi Hanapi, Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang) and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang).
As for the fate of Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Johari declined to make a decision as the matter is currently being challenged in court.
On the seating of the Bersatu MPs, Johari said that they remain in the Opposition bloc.
