Now, states look to amend laws to prevent reps from switching camps

Several states are likely to amend their constitutions to prevent assemblymen from switching camps following the passing of the anti-party hopping bill in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. 

Melaka and Penang have already announced that they are ready to amend their state constitutions to bring the provisions in line with the changes at the federal level.

Melaka Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali said the implementation of the anti-party hopping law was part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto in the Melaka state election last November.

"I support the bill (on anti-party hopping). It has been settled in Parliament, we will wait for it to be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"There is a time frame given to states to make similar amendments," he told reporters after opening the state-level National Youth Consultative Council meeting in Melaka today.
 
In George Town, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang would also amend its state constitution to bar state assemblymen from switching parties.

Chow said he had directed the state legal adviser to look into the matter.

Penang will hold a special state assembly sitting in September to table amendments to the state constitution to provide for this, he told reporters today.

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No. 3) 2022 on Provisions Prohibiting Members of Parliament from Switching Parties was approved by a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun said 209 MPs supported the bill while 11 MPs were absent during the bloc vote.

In Kuching, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Office (Sarawak Corporate Affairs and Public Communication Unit) Abdullah Saidol said the top leaderships of political parties in the state would discuss the possible adoption of similar laws.

Abdullah said in principle he supported the implementation of anti-party hopping laws for state assemblymen in Sarawak but that a study had to be conducted first.

"If our leaders have made a final decision on all aspects of the amendments required, we can bring the matter to the state legislative assembly.

“Maybe (it can be tabled) at the state assembly sitting to be held this November,” he told reporters today.