Fahmi Fadzil of PKR said he fears that some MPs of the ruling coalition would pull support from the bill in retaliation for the recent parliamentary defeat of an extension of a controversial Sosma security law.
“When the anti-hopping bill is tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on April 11, they might do the same thing (as when Pakatan Harapan (PH) did not support Sosma),” he was quoted as saying in a China Press report.
“And they will think that the political understanding between PH and the current government does not exist any more.”
Last month, a government-proposed motion to extend a Sosma provision for five years was defeated by 86-85, with 49 MPs absent.
Fahmi said the coming anti-hopping bill was important as it would ensure there would not be any abuse of the electoral system.
The bill would need the support of 148 MPs, or a two-thirds majority of the house, as this involves amending the constitution.
Fahmi said the fate of the bill would depend on government MPs as all PH MPs will support the new law.
He said at this stage only Pengerang MP Azalina Othman of Umno had said that her party would support the bill, while leaders of Pejuang, Muda, Warisan, Parti Sarawak Bersatu, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and Bersatu have yet to respond.
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