PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has told the opposition that the Anti-Party Hopping Bill will be tabled next week in the Dewan Rakyat. 

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said the issue was discussed today at Ismail’s office in Parliament. 

“We have an assurance from the prime minister that an amendment to the constitution related to the anti-party hopping bill will be tabled next week,” he said on Facebook today. 

On February 24, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he was confident the bill will be passed, based on the feedback received. 

He said that as the constitution needs to be amended, it will require two-thirds of the vote or support in the Dewan Rakyat, which is 148 out of 220 MPs now.

“If we get 148 votes or more, then this law can be passed, and based on my expectations after looking at the views of many parties, I am confident (the bill can be approved),” he said. 

This is in line with a recommendation made by Ismail, who wants the bill to be expedited after the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Transformation and Political Stability with Pakatan Harapan on September 13 last year.

Also present at the meeting was DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu. 

On the Johor elections, Anwar said that they had proposed for more flexibility in the standard operating procedure (SOP) to campaign.

“We also propose that flexibility be given to the SOP to facilitate the election campaign process.” 

The Election Commission has set March 12 for polling.  

The Port Dickson MP also reiterated their stance on the role and duties of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, which should act without being selective. 

Earlier today, Ismail said that Putrajaya does not protect anyone who is corrupt. 

He said those allegedly responsible will be taken to court and the judiciary will decide whether they are guilty. 

“Do not think that the government of the day is protecting certain people and taking action against others to please certain quarters,” he told the Dewan Rakyat. – March 1, 2022.