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KUALA LUMPUR – Umno is set to amend its constitution in its upcoming annual general assembly to be in tune with the recently passed anti-party hopping law.
Malaysiakini quoted its vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin as saying that the party will table a motion for this purpose on December 23, the third day of its assembly which will be held from December 21 to 24 at its headquarters here.
The Kota Tinggi MP said the amendment will include provisions that will comply with the requirements of the anti-hopping law, but stopped short of elaborating on the details.
He also did not confirm if it will be similar to recent amendments by Pakatan Harapan (PH) components Amanah and DAP to their own constitutions, merely saying that this “may be” the case.
“Usually, I would be in charge of handling the draft (of motions), but I have yet to get a decision from the Supreme Council on what it will look like,” he was reported as saying.
Khaled said Umno’s Supreme Council will finalise the content of the motion when it meets soon.
Previously on July 28, the Dewan Rakyat had passed a constitutional amendment to outlaw party hopping.
The law stipulates that MPs who resign from or cease to be a member of a political party – as well as independent lawmakers who join a political party – after being elected shall cease to be a member of the Dewan Rakyat and the seat will be vacated immediately.
The bill, however, stipulates several exceptions, including MPs who are fired from their parties, and if a party is disbanded or cancels its registration.
The Dewan Negara later on August 9 similarly passed the amendment bill, before it was given royal assent on August 31 and published in the federal gazette on September 6.
Following the implementation of the anti-party hopping law, both Amanah and DAP have respectively amended their party constitutions to stipulate that any of their lawmakers who go against the party’s decisions or instructions will automatically lose their membership.
The proposed amendment by Umno, however, will not be implemented in time for the vote of confidence which will be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on December 19.
This has raised concern that some rogue MPs may go against the party’s decision and vote down Anwar’s confidence motion. – The Vibes, November 30, 2022