KUALA LUMPUR: The tabling of the Federal Constitution (Amendments) 2022 Bill on anti-party hopping and limiting the tenure of the Prime Minister has been postponed for further deliberation.

       Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the Cabinet decided that the Bill still required further consultation through engagement sessions with other stakeholders particularly, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.

       "This is to ensure the amendments receive support in the Dewan Rakyat.

       "Under Article 159 of the Federal Constitution, we need two-thirds majority support in the Dewan to amend the Federal Constitution,” he said in a statement Friday (March 18).

       Wan Junaidi said he issued letters to all party leaders on March 15, with questionnaires to be answered with a draft of the Bill for their opinion and input.

       "This initiative is a continuation of the previous nine engagement sessions that I held with the cooperation of the Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Department and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

       "The engagement sessions included members of Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara as well as component parties including parties in Sabah and Sarawak," he said.

       Wan Junaidi said an engagement session with the Barisan and Perikatan leaders that was scheduled on Feb 26 and 28 respectively was postponed at the request of the coalitions in order for them to focus on the Johor state election.

       He said that once the opinion and input from all parties have been obtained and engagement sessions have concluded, if the Cabinet approves, the Bill will be tabled during a special Parliament session.

       He said this is in accordance with Regulations 11(3) Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, once the Prime Minister agrees to use his power under the Rule.

       The Standing Orders 11 (3) of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, allows the Prime Minister to call for a special parliamentary meeting outside of the set schedule.

       The current Parliament sitting ends on March 24.

       Wan Junaidi said the government has always been committed and will continue to be committed to bringing this Bill forward to ensure the political stability of the country.