KUALA LUMPUR: The constitutional amendments must be tabled, debated and passed concurrently with the anti-party hopping law at another special sitting, say Opposition lawmakers. But it must be concluded by May.

       Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said such a move was to ensure the amendments were meant only for the anti-hopping law, not for any other.

       “We proposed that the amendments be brought to the next session, the latest by May,” he said while debating the Constitution (Amendment) (No.3) Bill 2022 at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       Earlier in the morning, Anwar met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on this and the PH-Port Dickson MP said the amendments would be referred to a special select committee for fine-tuning.

       Anthony Loke (PH-Seremban) said DAP agreed to the postponement.

       “There were several constitutional matters that needed to be scrutinised first,” he said.

       Loke said his party supported the deferment to amend Article 10 (3A) of the Constitution until a bipartisan select committee had first scrutinised it.

       “We support this. After this debate ends, postpone second reading and refer this to the select committee,” said Loke.

       The newly appointed DAP secretary-general also said Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong) would most likely represent the party at the special select committee.

       Like Anwar, Loke is also hoping for the special parliamentary sitting to be held before the end of May so that, besides the constitutional amendments, the preliminary draft of the anti party-hopping Bill could be tabled and passed at the next parliamentary sitting.

       “This could restore voters confidence in our democratic system,” he said.

       Earlier, Loke had called for the abolishment of Article 48(6) in the Constitution - that an elected representative who resigns from his or her seat will be banned from contesting for five years.

       “Principally, if a person wants to jump ship to another party, that person should be allowed to.

       “But, that person must resign as an elected representative and return the mandate to the people,” he said.

       Mohamad Sabu (PH-Kota Raja) stressed the importance of having an anti-party hopping law as this had become “a common occurrence”.

       He said a government that was formed via party hopping MPs could never be stable.

       “It’s also bad for the country. If we want to change the Prime Minister now, we can, but we do not want to do that. We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Prime Minister so that he can do his best until the next general election,” added the Parti Amanah Negara president.

       The second meeting of the 14th Parliament will run for 12 days from July 18 to Aug 4.

       Yesterday, the government tabled the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2022 for first reading.