The government has confirmed that it has no plans to amend the Federal Constitution concerning the prohibition on Members of Parliament switching political parties, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Article 49A of the Federal Constitution already provides a sufficient and balanced legal framework. She explained that the provision aims to maintain political stability while safeguarding the constitutional right to freedom of association.
“Currently, the Madani Government has no proposal to amend the Federal Constitution in relation to anti-party hopping provisions. However, the government remains open to studying the matter further in consultation with all parties in government as well as the opposition,” she stated in a written reply.
Azalina was responding to Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN–Beluran), who had questioned why the Anti-Party Hopping Act had failed to prevent MPs from switching parties and asked what steps the government planned to strengthen the legislation.
