THE memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Government and Opposition would be considered as “finished” if the anti-hopping law is not tabled in the current Dewan Rakyat session, said outgoing DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
Speaking at the party’s annual congress, Lim said that there seemed to be a confusion on the proposed legislation status given that the Parliamentary Order Paper indicating that it would be tabled for its first hearing tomorrow but the Government is saying something else.
“We need to table the anti-hopping law in March to stop defections which has ‘contaminated’ the country’s democratic process.
“In any case, If the anti-hopping law is not passed as promised in the MOU signed by the prime minister, then the MOU is finished and ended,” he stressed.
While the Government has promised to table the anti-hopping law in this Parliamentary sitting, Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had indicated that it may not happen soon.
On Feb 15, he was reported as saying that while it is imperative to have an anti-hopping law to ensure confidence and good governance, there is no consensus on the term “anti-hopping”.
“Is it simply hopping from one party to another or from one coalition to another? How about unregistered and independent members who were expelled from parties? Is that considered party-hopping?” Free Malaysia Today reported him as asking.
He pointed out that unless proper and adequate engagement on the issue with relevant stakeholders was held, it would be difficult to formulate an anti-hopping law.
“I have received so much feedback on forming an anti-hopping law and although the attorney-general and I have managed to iron out most questions, there are about 20 or so that are still unanswered,” Wan Junaidi was reported as saying.
Bin Act 342 amendment
On that note, Lim also urged the Government to withdraw amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), which would only burden struggling businesses and individuals further given the twin crises of COVID-19 and economic downturn.
“The proposed amendment will only create more hardship to the rakyat and businesses,” he quipped.
The Government was mulling to amend Act 342 to increase compounds for non-compliance to COVID-19 SOP from RM1,000 to RM10,000, with companies being fined up to RM 1 mil.
However, it is to note that during the UMNO annual general assembly yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the Government would not table the amendment given the people’s objection to it. – March 20, 2022
