In a statement dated March 21, Pengerang MP Azalina Othman reiterated her call for a recall law provision which will allow voters to decide whether the crossing of the floor by an MP in their respective constituencies is acceptable to them.

 
In light of the special parliamentary sitting on April 11 to table the anti-party hopping bill, Azalina proposed the implementation of a recall law, which she described as the best remedy, as many Malaysians are questioning the point of voting if elected representatives can trade the mandate given to them after the elections.

Azalina had on  September 1, 2021 submitted a notice of motion for a Private Members Bill based on Standing Orders 49(1) called the “Dismissal of Members of Parliament Bill 2021 to the Dewan Rakyat speaker to table a Recall Bill in the September 2021 Parliament session. She was quoted to have said that she will write to every MP to explain the importance and benefits of this bill in ensuring a just and fair electoral system for the people.

The motion submitted was in line with the anti-party hopping law initiative that the government was working on then.

She cautioned that even though the Recall Law would cost more money to the Election Commission (EC) given that it includes a three-stage process, this law will define what constitutes party hopping, as in a recall process, the voters of a constituency will determine whether the MP concerned should vacate his or her seat.

It will ensure stability in the government of the day.

Former PM Najib Razak expressed his agreement for recall elections saying that it would be “more fair” to the party’s and voters.

Prior to Azalina’s Private Members Bill, in June 2021, election watchdog, Bersih 2.0 conducted an online simulated recall election (SREL) in the Tebrau parliamentary constituency which received the support of the deputy chief of PKR’s Johor chapter.

In a webinar titled “Recall Elections - A Solution to Party-Hopping in Malaysia?” which included Umno and DAP politicians on recall elections in April 2021, politicians from both parties unanimously agreed that the recall election act may be a more suitable option for the country.

Since Pakatan Harapan leaders have criticised the Sheraton Move, the introduction and passing of a recall election act with the Anti Hopping Law in the April 11, 2022 sitting of the parliament would eradicate such treacherous acts from being committed in the next General Election.

Why the silence and lack of support from Pakatan Harapan on this act? Not even a lukewarm mention but instead, total silence. Civil society groups are doing a much better job in addressing this proposal more responsibly than Pakatan Harapan.

The Private Members Bill based on Standing Orders 49(1) called the “Dismissal of Members of Parliament Bill 2021” proposed by Azalina needs all the support, specifically from Pakatan Harapan MPs. 

Unless Pakatan Harapan expects to benefit from a non-passing of this motion, there is no reason why they should not support this motion enthusiastically and wholeheartedly. Their refusal to participate in supporting this motion will be remembered.

As mentioned by Azalina, political parties who prioritise the rights of voters and openly support the Anti Hopping Law should push for the implementation of a Recall Law. – April 2, 2022.

*FLK reads the Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.