THE Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to put into effect the anti-hopping constitutional amendments without any further delay.
The much-anticipated constitutional amendments were gazetted on Sept 6. Initially, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had declared that it would be enforced at the latest by mid-September during a media conference in Parliament on Aug 9.
“However, more recently, it was announced that the date on which it would come into effect would be announced later by the King,” BERSIH pointed out in a media statement. “BERSIH is curious as to why the enforcement of this amendment is being delayed. It was passed unanimously by both houses of Parliament.”
“As the general elections looms, it is imperative that the anti-hopping constitutional amendments come into force so that voters can cast their vote with a peace of mind that their choice will not be invalidated due to post-election defections by elected MPs,” added BERSIH.
Under this amendment, if any MP changes party, their parliamentary seat will be automatically vacated and a by-election will be called unless it is less than two years before the parliamentary term ends (then no by-election will be called to fill the vacancy).
If the concern is the acceptance of this law at the state level which requires the consent of the Ruler or the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of each state, the whole amendment except for the part related to the Eighth Schedule to the Federal Constitution may come into force first, according to BERSIH.
“This is explicitly allowed under Sections 1(2) and (3) of this amendment,” noted the electoral reform group. “There is no reason to delay the enforcement of the national consensus which has been shown in parliamentary voting at the federal level.”
The electoral watchdog further expects the said amendment to encourage a good voter turnout which is essential in a democracy for any elected government to have a strong and legitimate mandate to govern for the next five years. – Sept 27, 2022
Main photo credit: The Malaysian Insight
