00:00A political analyst has urged the government to enact a law banning elected representatives
00:05who resign before their term ends from contesting elections for a stipulated period or imposing fines on them
00:12following Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad's decisions to vacate their parliamentary seats.
00:19Mazlan Ali of University Technology Malaysia said such an approach was necessary to prevent MPs and Assemblymen
00:26from quitting without a valid reason.
00:30He told FMT that they should pay compensation for the remainder of their term
00:34so the government can fund an agency to continue serving the constituents.
00:39The Election Commission said by elections will not be necessary since Parliament automatically dissolves in less than two years.
00:48Shahza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia meanwhile said
00:52it would be undemocratic to impose a law such as that suggested by Mazlan.
00:58She said MPs had the right to resign for specific reasons
01:02and that the anti-hopping law was already in force.
01:05She said the duo's resignation as MPs could erode public confidence and cause voters to become cynical
01:13especially if they are seen as having stepped down due to vested interests.
01:18However, she said the episode also presented an opportunity to review weaknesses in existing laws
01:25and come up with SOPs or clearer terms and conditions for the resignation of elected representatives.
01:32Plan Yojo, FMT.
01:33you
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