New anti-hopping bill protects party dissidents, stricter on independents
The new version of the government's anti-hopping bill has introduced protections for MPs who get sacked from their parties.
It also introduced stricter rules for independent MPs.
Under the new bill, which was tabled to the Dewan Rakyat today, Article 49(a) and Section 7A of the Eighth Schedule of the Federal Constitution will be amended so that MPs will lose their...
The new version of the government's anti-hopping bill has introduced protections for MPs who get sacked from their parties.
It also introduced stricter rules for independent MPs.
Under the new bill, which was tabled to the Dewan Rakyat today, Article 49(a) and Section 7A of the Eighth Schedule of the Federal Constitution will be amended so that MPs will lose their seats if they quit a party or cease being a member.
However, an MP who was sacked from the party will not be disqualified.
Similarly, MPs will still keep their seats if their party is dissolved or merges with another party, or if they resign from the party in order to be a House speaker.
As for MPs elected as independents, those who either join a political party or become a member of a coalition, will lose their seats, according to the bill and its explanatory statement.
The bill's explanatory statement also states that MPs will not lose their seats if their entire party exits a coalition to join or form another coalition.
When MPs lose their seats due to party hopping, an election must take place within 60 days.
Five-year ban removed
The amendment removes the five-year ban on MPs who resign from their seats - effectively allowing MPs disqualified for party hopping to contest in the by-election for their seat.
Another amendment to the bill is to reword a clause that originally would have made anti-hopping subject to restrictions "imposed by federal law".
Critics have said this could open up room for the government to abuse the section, and legislate laws that could punish and disqualify their opponents as MPs.
The bill now restricts the rules for party hopping strictly to amendments to Article 49(a) and Section 7A of the Eighth Schedule, as outlined above.
Meanwhile, another addition to the amended bill is to include a clause where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can, with the consent of a state sultan or governor, put the law into effect at the state level via gazette.
The anti-hopping bill is due to be debated in Parliament next week.
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