KUCHING: It is necessary for the proposed anti-hopping law, once passed, to be consented to by Sarawak before it is extended to the state to ensure it will not become a political weapon for the federal government to control other political parties in Sarawak.
Universiti Malaya’s Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the proposed Bill would be causing elected representatives or members of parliament (MPs) to lose their seats if they switch parties or are sacked from their parties.
“So, this might not prevent or stop party-hoping but it could become a political weapon,” he said.
In the context of Sarawak, Awang Azman said, there were several local parties and the law (once passed) would affect the position of MPs who were not in good terms with their party president.
“They need to worry when their relationship with party leaders turn sour, they might be sacked from the party and therefore, losing their seat as well,” he added.
Awang Azman said thus, it was important for Sarawak’s consent to be sought before it is enforced in the state – to avoid any misinterpretation.
On Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) said the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg suggested that the proposed anti-hopping law, once passed, must first get the consent from Sarawak before it is extended to the state.
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the premier had brought up the proposal during an engagement session recently.
Meanwhile, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said various states and territories are afterwards expected (although not compelled) to correspondingly amend their respective constitutions and laws to conform with the federal anti-hopping provisions.
“So it is perhaps more efficient to seek the agreements of these governments beforehand,” he said.
“I am not privy to Sarawak’s position on the proposed anti-hopping provisions, but it would appear that Sarawak is particularly concerned that its consent to this matter should be sought.
“However, at this point it is unclear what the specific provisions would be, and if Sarawak would grant such consent if requested,” he explained.
On the Bill which needed to be fine-tuned further as certain quarters had raised concern about possible abuse of power by the federal government, Oh said, the Bar Council and various other concerned institutions had listed a lot of scenarios whereby the future anti-hopping provisions could be abused by the power that be.
“But underlying all these is the fundamental distrust toward the power that be, as in the past various seemingly innocuous provisions have been abused or misused to suppress political dissent,” he added.
