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Disclose State’s stance on anti-hopping law

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Photo: Bernama

KUCHING: The Premier and other state government leaders should publicly disclose their stance on the proposed anti-hopping law, said Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE).

ROSE said that the Sarawak electorate has a right to know the intention of the state government towards the federal government’s desire to amend the Eighth Schedule of the Federal Constitution (Provisions to be inserted in the State Constitutions) to standardise the anti-hopping provisions between the states of the Federation.

“Or is the state government’s silence an indication that they object to the adoption of the same law at state level? If so, what is the state government’s basis or grounds for doing so?“The public also have a right to know what improved form of anti-hopping law the state government prefers,” ROSE pointed out in its press statement on Saturday.

ROSE said now is the time for the state government to show leadership in Malaysia on this anti-hopping constitutional amendment that meets the aspirations of the rakyat for more democratic politics.

“We view that the anti-hopping provisions to be applied to state assemblymen must be one that is much stronger than the present impotent Article 17(7)(a),” ROSE added.

ROSE welcomes the formation of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) by the Dewan Rakyat on April 11, 2022.

“The PSSC is tasked to deliberate, formulate and fine-tune the Anti- Hopping Law to effectively curb the menace of party-hopping by MPs and ADUNs.

“The rakyat want the resultant bill to be one that effectively deters defections and restores democratic political stability.

“This will ensure that voters’ mandates are respected by both lawmakers and political parties alike. Ultimately it should be a law that when passed, restores confidence in our parliamentary democracy and elections by the general public including an estimated 5.8 million new voters when the 15th general election (GE15) comes around,” the association stated.

ROSE views this PSSC as competent and capable of fulfilling its terms of reference to make good recommendations on the proposed constitutional amendments to end party hopping and betrayals of the electorate’s mandate once and for all.

In defining party-hopping in the Federal Constitution, ROSE is of the opinion that lawmakers must by law vacate their seats when they leave their political party; or join a political party after being elected as an independent; or are expelled by their party.

ROSE also believes that all those who vacate or lose their seats as a consequence of this anti-hopping law must however be allowed to re-contest in the subsequent by-election either as an independent or under another party ticket.

“In this way, if there is any change in affiliation by the elected representative post-election, the voters get the power to decide who they believe will best represent their aspirations.

“Equally important, states should also adhere to the same anti-hopping law by amending their respective constitutions.”

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