THE 209 voters who voted in favour of the Anti-hopping law clearly signals a new beginning in Malaysian political culture where elected representatives put voters before personal interests and gains.
As such, the country now has a chance to reset and to act in ways that bring about a culture of political integrity, trust between voters and their elected representatives, and a culture of accountability, said Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The historic constitutional amendments that seek to outlaw party-hopping have been passed unanimously in Dewan Rakyat yesterday (July 28) via a bloc vote.
“This is a chance to reinstate the true meaning of democracy – one where the voice of voters is respected,” Azalina said in a statement on her Facebook post last night.
“We still have a long way to go. I hope that the passing of the Anti-hopping Law will encourage us to reach for greater heights in working together on further reforms and in cultivating a political culture of integrity and democracy.”
Azalina also offered her congratulations – in advance – to Malaysian voters in the 15th general election (GE15), adding, “This time you will get what you vote for.”
The bill will now be taken to the Dewan Negara. Once passed, it can be gazetted as early as August, according to news reports.
The key feature of the bill is that it sought to introduce Article 49A, which stipulates that an MP will cease to be a member of the Dewan Rakyat on two conditions:
- The MP “resigns” from or “ceases to be a member of” the political party that he or she was a member of upon being elected; or,
- The MP, having been elected while being a member of a political party, joins a different political party.
The new law will also apply to MPs who were without a party membership upon being elected but subsequently joined a political party. – July 29, 2022
Pic credit: Galen Centre
