Tebrau MP: Anti-hopping law in present form is 'undemocratic'
PARLIAMENT | Certain provisions in the bill aimed at discouraging MPs from switching parties are "undemocratic", according to Steven Choong (PBM-Tebrau).
This, argued Choong, was because the bill will force parliamentarians who were elected as an independent to vacate their seat upon joining a political party.
PARLIAMENT | Certain provisions in the bill aimed at discouraging MPs from switching parties are "undemocratic", according to Steven Choong (PBM-Tebrau).
This, argued Choong, was because the bill will force parliamentarians who were elected as an independent to vacate their seat upon joining a political party.
He said the bill also does not stop political parties from switching coalitions.
"This bill curtails the freedom to marry more than one person and yet it does not prevent a political party to form a government with other parties after an election.
"I am confused with the opposition's concept of democracy. They rejected the 28-day detention period under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 on grounds that it was undemocratic.
"Don't they feel that this bill, if passed (without further amendments), is also undemocratic?" asked Choong when debating the Constitutional (Amendment) (No 3) Bill 2022.
"MPs had pledged to uphold democracy. But we are (now) making a lot of amendments to the Constitution... We are slowly killing democracy," he added.
On Feb 28, 2021, Choong switched sides by pledging his support for then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin. In doing so, he was deemed to have automatically lost his PKR membership.
Choong went on to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) and sits on the government bench.
Losing PKR membership
While he supported the bill in principle, Choong said his decision to back the bill when it comes to voting time will depend on Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar's answer to his poser.
Choong then began describing to the House his version of events on how he lost his PKR membership.
According to him, he declared his support for Muhyiddin without any notice to his party nor did he join any party at the time.
Following this, Choong said he was sacked by PKR.
"I did so without any promise of money nor was there any (investigations) against me.
"I urge the minister to explain if those facing my situation (will lose their seats). Only then will I (decide whether to) support (the bill)," he added.
Shortly after leaving PKR, Chong told a Chinese talk show that Muhyiddin had promised him an official position.
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