KUCHING: As many as 39 Members of Parliament (MPs) have hopped from one party to another since 2018.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that such action had led to political instability in the country.
“When there is political instability … The country’s economy also needs to be taken care of especially during the time we were facing COVID-19 which is a big problem.
“Apart from that, it is also the first time in the history of Malaysia, we have seen the changes of three Prime Ministers in one term in our country.
“Therefore, the government has come up with the Anti-Party Hopping Bill which took us five months to draft,” he said.
He said this in a press conference after visiting a retaining wall project site at Kampung Muara Tebas on Saturday.
Wan Junaidi said in the early stage, there were some lawmakers who did not agree and some agreed with the proposed legislation.
“If the Cabinet agrees on April 6, we will table the Bill during the special Parliament Sitting which has been scheduled on April 11,” he said.
Later when attending the Bank Rakyat 2.0 Micro-Financing Counter launching ceremony for hawkers and small traders at the Santubong Parliament Service Centre, Jalan Kulas, Wan Junaidi said that the special Parliament Sitting which would see the tabling of the Anti-Party Hopping Bill was subject to the decision of the Cabinet.
“So, during that time (Cabinet meeting) I have got to convince everybody. If there are objections from the Cabinet members, it is up to the Prime Minister to make a decision.
“But as far as I am concerned, I have prepared everything. I have asked the Dewan Rakyat to convene (special sitting) so that once the Cabinet passes the Bill on April 6, it can be tabled on April 11,” said Wan Junaidi.
