Dap Mp Wants Party Hoppers Charged Under Anti Hopping Law

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Jelutong MP RSN Rayer said those who switched parties should be charged with cheating, an offence under the Penal Code. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: A DAP MP has called for elected representatives who defect to be charged with cheating and deception under the proposed anti-hopping law.
While debating the anti-hopping bill in Dewan Rakyat today, RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) questioned why the bill did not include a provision similar to Section 420 of the Penal Code, that punishes cheating, for MPs who betrayed the mandate of voters.
“If you cheat (someone) you can be charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code,” said Rayer.
“Why are we giving exemptions to MPs?”
“If you defect after winning under a DAP or PKR ticket, doesn’t your defection count as cheating or deception? People are asking why they (party hoppers) can’t be punished.”
He said he wants law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to provide an explanation on the matter.
Rayer also took a jab at former Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs who defected, saying the anti-hopping bill would serve as a lesson for his former allies on “principled politics”.
He named Azmin Ali (Bersatu-Gombak), Zuraida Kamaruddin (PBM-Ampang), Edmund Santhara Kumar (Bersatu-Segamat) and Willie Mongin (Bersatu-Puncak Borneo).
The four MPs were among the former PKR lawmakers who were involved in the Sheraton Move which resulted in the collapse of the PH-led government in 2020.
PH MPs have cited the Sheraton Move in their support for the bill which was tabled by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob this morning.
A vote on the bill will take place tomorrow. - FMT

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