DEWAN Rakyat has unanimously decided to refer the formulation of an anti-party hopping law to a special select committee following a more than seven-hour debate involving 59 lawmakers.

Law Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar proposed the motion this morning, which was approved with a voice vote at 5.38pm.

Wan Junaidi, during the winding-up, said the government accepted that its initial plan to amend only article 10(3a) is insufficient to address party-hopping.

“Party-hopping has wide-ranging implications. As such, after the meeting between the prime minister and opposition this morning, the government has decided to refer the issue to a parliamentary select committee.”

He said the committee will be chaired by him and have 10 other members.

“The (other) members are Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN), Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Padang Rengas-BN), Hamzah Zainudin (Larut-PN), Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Baru-PAS), Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Sibuti-GPS), Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong-PH), Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Sepang-PH), Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Kulim-Bandar Baharu-PH), Wilfred Madius Tangau (Tuaran-PH) and Darell Leiking (Penampang-Warisan).

“This committee can summon any expert or individual to provide information.”

The MPs suggested the committee define examples of party-hopping to avoid confusion, as well as repeal article 48(6) and ouster clause section 18c of the Societies Act 1966.

They also suggested Independents be exempted from the anti-party hopping law as they won on their own merit.

MPs also asked the committee to look into hung parliament situations and issues such as parties leaving a coalition (i.e. Bersatu leaving PH, causing the collapse of the PH government in 2020).

Another suggestion is for the government to ensure a fair and equal distribution of constituency funds for all MPs, regardless of affiliation, to remove one reason for party-hopping.

The special sitting today is held to table the constitutional amendment bill aimed at allowing Parliament to formulate an anti-party hopping law.

After talks with main opposition bloc PH, the government decided to refer the amendments and formation of the law to a select committee. – April 11, 2022.