PETALING JAYA: Lawmakers will have ample time to debate and scrutinise the much-anticipated anti-party hopping law despite not having a special one-day sitting to table and debate the Bill, say analysts and lawmakers.

       Former de facto law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said he fully supported the government’s decision to bring the proposed anti-hopping Bill to Parliament on July 18.

       “We might as well just do it during the scheduled meeting instead of a special sitting. If we need to have more time to look at the Bill, we can always extend it,” he said when contacted yesterday.

       Minister in the Prime Minister Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has said the proposed anti-hopping Bill will be tabled when Parliament begins its scheduled meeting on July 18.

       Among the reasons he cited were that it would cost an estimated RM1.07mil to hold the special sitting and the absence of Members of Parliament who will be abroad on official work.

       Considering the current situation, Nazri said it would be costly to call in all MPs for a separate special sitting.

       “We should be trying to save money as much as possible,” he added.

       Azmi Hassan, a senior fellow at Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research, said it was reasonable for the government to make such a decision.

       “The duration gap between the first week of July and July 18 is not that big.

       “It is fair to make such a decision considering all the factors and to ensure as many lawmakers as possible can participate in the debates,” he said.

       Kangar MP Noor Amin Ahmad said that although the Bill had been delayed a few times, he understood the difficulties in getting a firm agreement from all parties involved.

       “But I am actually happy to know that the Cabinet has already agreed with the proposals from the bipartisan committee on this matter,” he said.

       Universiti Malaya political analyst Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said that if it could not be done physically, the meeting could be conducted online as it would involve less cost.

       “All this will depend on the government’s priority in showing its interest and support towards it.

       “The need to debate the matter is critical to restore the confidence of the people towards the political institutions of the country,” he added.