KUALA LUMPUR: Anti-party hopping legislation will be introduced in several Pakatan Harapan-led states once it is in place at the federal level, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

       The Pakatan secretary-general said the process of introducing such laws would start once the Dewan Rakyat passes the necessary constitutional amendments and bills required.

       “Many see party-hopping as a betrayal of the people’s mandate and one that tarnishes the principles of democracy as well as bringing about political instability as we have experienced this term,” he said while debating the Constitution (Amendment) (No.3) Bill 2022, in the Dewan Rakyat Monday (April 11).

       The Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP also said that defining what “party-hopping” meant was the main discussion point during a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and other Opposition leaders on Monday morning.

       He said it was agreed that lawmakers who defect from one party to another are classified as party-hoppers as well as those who join a new party after they are expelled.

       However, he said clarification was needed if lawmakers from a party which has dissolved or disbanded were considered party-hoppers or independent candidates.

       Wan Junaidi said a special select committee would further deliberate the proposed constitutional amendment.

       He said the decision to defer voting on the constitutional amendment was made following a meeting chaired between Ismail Sabri and Pakatan Harapan’s top leadership on Monday morning.

       He added that the anti-party hopping bill is expected to be tabled in the next Dewan Rakyat meeting from July 18 to Aug 4.