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Thursday, July 28, 2022

I (a frog, naturally) skipped vote on anti-hopping bill in protest (and fear)



I skipped vote on anti-hopping bill in protest, says Bersatu MP


Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal said the anti-hopping bill should have been tabled after the 15th general election. (Bernama pic)


PETALING JAYA: A Perak MP, who was among 11 who did not vote on the anti-hopping bill, said he skipped the Dewan Rakyat today in protest against the proposed law.

Bersatu’s Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal said such a bill should have been tabled after the next general election, as the current government comprised those who had defected from other parties.

“The government we have is one that was created by party hoppers. Even the prime minister was chosen by those who had switched parties.

“I didn’t attend the sitting because I don’t agree with this at all,” he told FMT.

Hussin said mass party hopping was never a feature in the past, adding that it only happened recently when alliances were formed.

“This is the first time it (mass party hopping) is happening. We could have waited until the next election (to table and pass the bill).”

Hussin said the legislators should have instead amended the Federal Constitution to allow the rakyat to directly vote for their prime minister as it would provide for a “stronger and more stable government”.

Meanwhile, Kuala Pilah MP Eddin Syazlee Shith said he had to skip the session as he had taken ill.

According to PKR’s Fahmi Fadzil, among those who did not attend today’s voting was Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik, who was away on a visit to Ireland.

Others include human resources minister M Saravanan (on a working visit to Indonesia), youth and sport minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu (in the UK for the Commonwealth Games), and Tumpat MP Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (pilgrimage in Mecca).

Taiping MP Teh Kok Lim and Bentong MP Wong Tack were absent as they were under quarantine for Covid-19.

Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang, Lahad Datu MP Mohamaddin Ketapi and Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol were also absent but the reasons behind their no-show are yet to be ascertained.


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