Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia A law discouraging elected lawmakers from switching political parties was passed on Thursday, following a series of defections that have caused political instability in recent years.
The new law could be crucial in providing stability as national elections are expected to be called before the September 2023 deadline.
Malaysia has seen two coalition governments fall since February 2020, partly due to moves by lawmakers to switch allegiance to the party while retaining their seats in parliament.
Under the new law, a legislator who decides to switch parties after being elected to office will lose his position in parliament. The lower house of parliament passed the law with a two-thirds majority.
“This … is important to ensure long-term political stability,” the prime minister said. Ismail Sabri Yakub said in a statement.
The law is expected to be introduced in the upper house in August, and if approved – as expected – will go into effect shortly.
Malaysia has had three prime ministers since 2020, mitigating the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown.
The new law could be crucial in providing stability as national elections are expected to be called before the September 2023 deadline.
Malaysia has seen two coalition governments fall since February 2020, partly due to moves by lawmakers to switch allegiance to the party while retaining their seats in parliament.
Under the new law, a legislator who decides to switch parties after being elected to office will lose his position in parliament. The lower house of parliament passed the law with a two-thirds majority.
“This … is important to ensure long-term political stability,” the prime minister said. Ismail Sabri Yakub said in a statement.
The law is expected to be introduced in the upper house in August, and if approved – as expected – will go into effect shortly.
Malaysia has had three prime ministers since 2020, mitigating the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown.