Anti-party hopping law to come into force on Oct 5
With the enforcement of the act, MPs who leave their parties will lose their membership.
The Constitution (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 2022, better known as the anti-party hopping law, prohibiting MPs from switching parties, will come into force tomorrow.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar announced this today, saying the act obtained the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Aug 31 and was gazetted as Act A1663 on Sept 6.
"His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has also consented to the date of enforcement for the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 2022 on Oct 5, in line with Section 1(2) and Section 1(3) of Act A1663.
"The (date) of enforcement of the act was also gazetted earlier today. So here I am, standing before you, keeping my promise," he told a press conference at the Parliament building.
The Dewan Rakyat on July 28 passed the anti-party hopping bill with more than a two-thirds majority. On Aug 9, the bill obtained the support of 52 out of 60 senators through a bloc vote.
Wan Junaidi said with the enforcement of the act, MPs who leave their parties will lose their membership.
He said a letter from Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob would be sent to all states to request the state governments to standardise and adopt the amendments enacted under Schedule 8 of the Federal Consitution.
"The schedule is to standardise the term 'MPs' with 'assemblymen' in the states.
"When the state assemblies sit later this year, the amendments to their state constitutions can be made," he added.
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