KUCHING: The passing of the anti-party hopping Bill will enhance political stability in Malaysia, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“Except those who did not turn up for the voting, both sides of the House voted for it. It received two-thirds majority in the Parliament.
“In my personal view, this is a good development,” said the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
Abdul Karim commented on the Bill after attending the Gala Dinner of the 23rd Meeting of Asean-Coci Sub-Committee on Culture (SCC) and 11th Meeting of Asean Plus Three Cultural Cooperation Network Meetings (APTCCN) at the Waterfront Hotel on Thursday.
The Bill was passed on Thursday in the House of Representative after the required two-thirds majority was secured by the government to make the necessary constitutional amendments.
A total of 209 MPs voted in favour of the Bill and no lawmakers voted against the amendment. 11 MPs were absent during the voting.
“Whoever contested under any political party needs to stay with the party. Do not leap to another party when you are half way into your term as a representative.
“Doing so only betrays the trust given by the voters to you,” Abdul Karim explained.
Asked whether the matter would be brought into the next State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session, the Asajaya assemblyman replied that it was not necessary.
“In my opinion, there is no need for further discussion of this matter in DUN as it was amended in Parliament and the Election Act 1958 is an act under the federal government’s purview.
“We just have to wait for the Bill to be gazetted and turned into a law,” he said.
