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Public divided over anti-hopping law

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Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
BY UMIE SYAZWANIE MOHD

KUCHING: Political analysts have mixed views on supporting the call for an anti-hopping law as advocated by former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Azalina Othman Said.

On Aug 29, Azalina advocated the importance of anti-hopping laws in protecting the people’s mandate and in curbing politicking between parties.

An anti-hopping law that restricts conscience voting as one touted by Azalina would inadvertently trap MPs whereby they either have to vote in favour of this new direction party or maintain their voting parliament based on what they had promised voters during the election.


Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat

Associate Prof Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat (Political analyst, Unimas)

I have some reservations. I support the idea if it does not go against the Federal Constitution. As of now, not until the federal constitution is amended, it is illegal and cannot support any illegal proposal. It has never been challenged in court and that is why it is still there.


Dr. Awang Azman Awang Pawi

Associate Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi (Political analyst, University Malaya)

I support the anti-hopping law to avoid the symptoms of party hopping and unhealthy practises in politics as well as ensure that selfishness can be rejected in the country’s political system. Laws to avoid party jumping should be in place to make politics more stable and to avoid politicking from happening.


Datuk Peter Minos

Datuk Peter Minos (Political analyst, chairman of Municipal Council of Kota Samarahan)

I do not favor party hopping because it is not the right and proper thing to do. Then, I have been in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu for a long time and I see party-hopping as not a good idea for politics in our country. It is not easy to amend that constitutional provision or creating a new one on anti-hopping.


Dr Arnold Puyok

Dr Arnold Puyok (Political analyst, Unimas)

I do not support it because it is against the constitutional right of MPs to choose which party they want to support and at the same time, it restricted the constitutional rights of MPs to support parties ideology, parties vision, etc. So, the best alternative for anti-hopping law is recalled election.


Dr. Jamaie Hamil

Dr Jamaie Hamil (Political Analyst, University Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Due to the less stable politics of our country, the anti-hopping law should be implemented. In fact, this issue has been around for a long time and I do not want to say that it was being fought by the opposition, but they have previously suggested to the government that this method be used as a solution and political stability for our country until the 15th general election.

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