THE MALAYSIAN Indian Voice (MIV) urged the Government to table the anti-hopping law the soonest in order to restore integrity to the nation’s electoral system
“I understand that some nasty politicians are trying to delay this so that they can continue to do horse trading in the future to link themselves to those in power.
“But this sickening attitude must end so as to stop ‘political prostitutes’ from undermining democracy and ultimately, restore people’s faith in the system,” its president V Pappa Raidu said, in a statement.
Recently, Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar lamented the fact that the anti-hopping law may not be tabled at the special Parliamentary session tomorrow.
He said that it was due to “objections” from several Government leaders who wanted the Bill to be “fine-tuned”. However, Wan Junaidi confirmed that the constitutional amendment to allow the Bill to be passed will be tabled tomorrow.
However, the proposed amendment is also receiving brickbats from several MPs, who have mentioned that the proposed clause to be inserted under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution granted to much power to the Government on restricting freedom of association, which may trigger a constitutional crisis later on.
Touching on the matter, Pappa Raidu said that enacting an anti-hopping law was nothing unique as several countries such as Singapore and the UK have such provisions to deter “political frogs”.
He added that the public on how “political frogs” can undermine the electoral process, reminding them of the collapse of the then-Pakatan Rakyat Perak state government in February 2009.
“Frogs” disrespect voters
“Even the Pakatan Harapan Government got dislodged in February 2020 after ‘political frogs’ defected and formed Perikatan Nasional.
“These unscrupulous politicians have not respect whatsoever for the voters. Right now, Malaysia is going through political instability and economic downturn due to the actions of these untrustworthy leaders,” Pappa Raidu mentioned.
On related matter, Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the Government was confident of obtaining the supermajority needed to amend Article 10 tomorrow.
“The issue is that as long as the Federal Constitution is not amended, (the tabling of the bill) cannot happen as the law states whichever law that contradicts the constitution is automatically null and void, so we need to amend (Article 10 of the Federal Constitution) first.
“Amend it so that there is a clause to exempt freedom of speech, assembly and to form associations… to enable the creation of the anti-party hopping law,” Bernama reported him as saying. – April 10, 2022
