The Malaysian government is conducting studies into the state laws and international models that are currently being used to stop party hopping as the basis for Malaysia to formulate a new law.
According to Bernama, the de facto law minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the government is scrutinising the court decisions related to switching parties after the election as well.
He added that the models of anti-party hopping laws made reference to were from India, Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
“The findings of the study will be discussed through a bi-partisan engagement session.” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Parliament yesterday (18 October).
Wan Junaidi was responding to a question raised by senator N. Balasubramaniam who wanted to know the government’s readiness to introduce an anti-hopping law.
Meanwhile, he also said that the government is committed to ensure that the anti-party hopping law would be enacted and it will protect the rights of the people who had voted and put their trust in politicians during elections.
“The government will also ensure that comprehensive engagement sessions are held with stakeholders, non-governmental organisations (NGO), members of Parliament from the government and opposition and the public to ensure the new bill receives support from all parties.” he said.
While responding to another question raised by Senator Datuk A.Kesavadas on the engagement sessions with foreign legal experts to draft the anti-hopping law, Wan Junandi said there was no necessity to do so as the country has sufficient expertise on the matter.
“However, we use the legal models of other countries so that we can study their weakness and strength, as well as evaluate from our own constitutional point of view and the needs of our people.” he added.
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