KUALA LUMPUR: Discussions and findings presented in parliamentary select committees (PSSC) are protected under the Official Secrets Act (OSA), says Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (pic).

       As such, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the PSSC deliberations on the proposed anti-party hopping law would fall under the OSA.

       “Members of the PSSC have asked me whether (the meeting) is protected under the OSA.

       “Any decision made by a PSSC cannot be revealed unless it is tabled in the Dewan Rakyat itself, then it would be a public document,” he said during a buka puasa event hosted by his ministry at a hotel here yesterday.

       The PSSC on the anti-hopping law, which is chaired by Wan Junaidi, met for the first time on April 15 and is scheduled to meet again today.

       Wan Junaidi said that as the minister overseeing matters concerning the law and Parliamentary affairs, he was duty-bound to safeguard the PSSC’s deliberations on the issue.

       “That is why I’m keeping silent. I cannot comment because I cannot reveal (further details). I don’t need publicity (on the issue),” he pointed out.

       Speaking to reporters later, Wan Junaidi said despite being appointed to chair the PSSC’s meetings on the anti-party hopping Bill, he had not interfered with the direction of the meetings.

       “I only provided guidance and most ideas came from the MPs who attended,” he added.

       Wan Junaidi also expressed confidence that the PSSC would be able to complete its findings in about a month.

       “God willing because that is the track record,” he said.

       He noted that the current line-up of PSSC members on the proposed anti-party hopping law had adequate “legal talent”, citing lawyers Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Gobind Singh and Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said as examples.

       “We are also assisted by senior officers of the Attorney-General’s Chambers with up to 30 years of experience. So, I hope Malaysians will accept the fact that we have enough expertise to draft legislation,” he said.

       Wan Junaidi added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had the prerogative to determine which day the anti-party hopping Bill would be tabled in Parliament.

       “This falls under Standing Orders 11(3). Once the Prime Minister has made his decision, he will write to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker and Senate president,” he said.

       It was reported that the anti-party hopping Bill was expected to be tabled in the coming Parliament session which will be held from July 18 to Aug 4.

       On April 11, the Dewan Rakyat passed a motion to set up the PSSC to scrutinise proposed Constitution (Amendment) (No.3) Bill 2022 aimed at paving the way for an anti-party hopping law to be tabled in Parliament.