PETALING JAYA: MCA has reiterated its position that recall elections should be part proposed anti-party hopping laws as this would give voters the right to determine the fate of elected representatives, without jeopardising the principle of freedom of association.

       MCA spokesperson Chan Quin Er reaffirmed the party’s position following Umno’s Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman’s call for the inclusion of recall elections provisions.

       “MCA would like to affirm that Azalina’s call is consistent with MCA’s position to recall elections,” she said in a statement on Monday (March 28).

       On Sept 6, 2021, the MCA Bill Committee proposed introducing a House of Representatives Recall Act.

       She said MCA would like to restate the party’s position on the proposed law, which would require MPs who defect or commit offences listed in the Act (that do not constitute disqualification from office under Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution) to answer to their electorate or risk losing their seat.

       She said this means that if an MP changes parties or commits a misdemeanour that does not constitute a breach of Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution, the proposed law empowers the electorate to recall the MP.

       She said other countries and regions, including the United Kingdom and Taiwan, have similar laws.

       She said an MP who switches parties after being elected to office would be subject to a recall if a voter in his/her electorate files a recall petition with the Election Commission.

       “In light of Article 10(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution, a Recall Act is the most effective way to address rampant party-switching without jeopardising an MP’s freedom of association,” she said.

       She said introducing this law would serve as a significant deterrent to MPs who are considering a defection.

       Chan also said the move to empower the electorate would demonstrate the existence of a democratic society.

       She said that a recall law was critical in resolving the age-old issue of MPs changing parties while adhering to democratic principles, particularly after the 14th General Election, when the incidence of party-switching increased drastically, leaving the political sphere in limbo.

       She said as a result, effective governance was undermined and Malaysians grew increasingly frustrated with politicians on a national scale.