Pahang anti-hopping laws delayed as opposition requests more time, says MB

LIPIS - The Pahang state assembly's plan to table the anti-hopping bill on May 8 has been postponed temporarily due to the opposition's request, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

He said the state assembly speaker has been directed to engage in talks with the opposition over the issue and the state government has accepted the opposition's request for additional time to review the bill.

"The opposition said they need more time to examine the bill.

"They will probably give suggestions and if the suggestions are good, then we have no problem of considering making the necessary changes.

"It will be tabled as soon as the opposition gives their proposal and after the state government examines the proposal," he told reporters at a press conference here with the Pahang Umno to celebrate Raya Open House at Laman Sejahtera, Sungai Koyan, here.

Also present was the Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

On April 12, Pahang state assembly speaker Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the anti-hopping bill is expected to be tabled in the Pahang state Assembly on May 8.

He said assemblymen are expected to give their support with a two-third majority based on the agreement of all Pahang assemblymen after the briefing on the Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 3 of 2022 (Act A1663) (Anti-Hopping) from the Legal Adviser's Office.

Pahang is one of the states that has yet to implement the anti-party hopping law for assemblymen since it came into force at the federal level on Oct 5, last year.