KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Federal Constitution and the passing of an anti-hopping law must be done before the next general election, say analysts.

       International Islamic University of Malaysia’s constitutional and administrative law lecturer Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmood said regardless of the approach taken by the government to address anti-hopping, it was crucial that the Constitution is amended first.

       “There are still differing views as to the definition of party hopping among MPs.

       “The government is taking a very cautious approach on the matter as they are on a thin majority, and want to ensure all MPs are onboard when the constitutional amendments and anti-hopping law are tabled,” he said when contacted yesterday.

       However, Prof Nik Ahmad said that tabling both the constitutional amendments and anti-hopping law together during one sitting one, as suggested by some MPs, could result in more differences and confusion in the House.

       “They could amend the Constitution first, and then focus on the anti-party hopping law.

       “This should be done before the next general election.

       “If not done before the polls, it could give rise to worries of another ‘Sheraton Move’, which will affect voters’ confidence in coming out to vote,” he said, adding that Pakatan Harapan would be most affected if the law is not passed before the next polls.

       Dr Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said the proposed amendment was deferred yet again as MPs were being very cautious.

       “Well, it’s a Bill to restrict their room for hopping, right? So, of course, many of them would like to limit its applicability as much as possible,” Oh said, adding that it would be crucial for political parties, especially Pakatan, to pass the amendments before the 15th General Election is called.

       “Because their reform-minded supporters would clamour for it,” Oh said.

       Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said it is important for the government and political parties to explain to the rakyat why there was a further delay in passing the anti-hopping law by referring it to the special select committee.

       “Both sides have at least agreed that there must be a law to stop party hopping.

       “But it is better that they first sort out the definition of party hopping, as MPs themselves are still confused over its definition,” he said.

       Prof Sivamurugan noted that there is a danger that the rakyat may view the delay as a political ploy if no explanation was given for the continuous delay.

       “The rakyat must be made to understand the need for the delay.

       “They are the masses that will vote and may feel they are being taken for a ride,” he said.

       Prof Sivamurugan noted that both the government and Opposition were overly cautious over the proposed anti-hopping law.

       “If there are any mistakes in the law which is passed, then the blame game will start among political parties with the hope of getting sympathy from voters,” he said, agreeing that the anti-hopping law should be passed before the next general election.