THE Sarawak assembly today passed the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment)(No.2) Bill 2022 to bring the state constitution in line with the anti-party hopping law, which was incorporated in the Federal Constitution in July. 

Tabled by state Deputy Law Minister Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, the bill was passed with a more than a two-thirds’ majority when 77 members voted in favour. 

“The amendments consist of two parts. First, it relates to the prohibition of change of an elected member’s political party. This is to prevent ‘party-hopping’ among elected members. 

“The amendments also provide for circumstances where membership of the legislative assembly will not be affected, like the dissolution or cancellation of the registration of his political party or expulsion of a member from his political party,” she said. 

The amendments include adding a new Article 16B and removing the existing Clauses 6 and 7 of Article 17 of the Sarawak constitution. 

On July 28, Malaysia hit a historic political milestone when amendments to the Federal Constitution to prohibit members of the Dewan Rakyat from changing parties were passed with a two-thirds’ majority. 

When debating the bill, Safiee Ahmad (GPS-Daro) said the amendments are important as the unhealthy practice of party-hopping had resulted in Malaysia seeing three prime ministers in just one term. 

“This initiative (amendment) is not only to appreciate and respect the people’s mandate through the democratic system, but also to preserve political integrity in the state administration. 

“I am confident that the enforcement of this law can stop elected representatives from hopping to switch parties like frogs to satisfy their personal agendas without thinking of the effects on the people,” he said. – Bernama, November 22, 2022.