PAKATAN Harapan presidential council urged the Government to “fine-tune” the constitutional amendment tabled so as to ensure it only covers anti-hopping provision.
“Pakatan leaders have discussed with the Prime Minister and the law minister in regards to the constitutional amendment and the anti-hopping law.
“In the meeting, we have stressed that the amendment to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution in regards to freedom of association to be narrowed down to cover anti-hopping alone,” they said, in a joint statement.
The joint statement was signed by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and UPKO president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
Earlier today, Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar tabled a constitutional amendment at the Dewan Rakyat to introduce a clause to address issue of lawmakers switching parties while holding elected posts.
The clause reads: “Article 3A – Notwithstanding paragraph (c) of Clause (2) and Clause (3), restrictions on the right to form associations conferred by paragraph (c) of Clause (1) relating to membership in a political party of members of the House of Representatives and members of the State Legislative Assembly may also be imposed by federal law.”
Pushed to May
However, the Santubong MP hinted that voting may not take place today as a parliamentary select committee would be deliberating on “certain matters”.
Since last week, several MPs have raised concerns that the amendment, in its existing form, gave too much power to the Government to restrict freedom of association and called for it to cover anti-hopping alone.
Touching on the matter, Pakatan said they have urged the Government to look into the provision which bars elected representative from contesting in polls for five years should they relinquish their seats, which contradicts the anti-hopping law provision.
“All the details must be rectified by the bipartisan parliamentary select committee so as to ensure the constitutional amendment and the tabling of the anti-hopping law can happen by end of May,” they mentioned. – April 11, 2022
