SHAH ALAM - The trend of elected representatives switching parties or changing allegiances is likely to persist following Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul's decision not to vacate the six parliamentary seats held by Bersatu members.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian stressed that this decision would set a precedent for any MP wishing to do the same in the future.
"Therefore, there might be individuals who change their allegiance even though it is not in line with the Anti-Party Hopping Act because it has been established that their seats do not need to be vacated.
"In fact, even if Barisan Nasional (BN) itself does not support the Prime Minister, the same precedent must be used," he told Sinar on Thursday.
Bersatu President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Wednesday confirmed that the party received a letter from Johari on Tuesday, stating that there was no vacancy under Article 49A of the Federal Constitution for the six parliamentary seats of former Bersatu members who expressed support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The six MPs are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).
On June 20, Bersatu Vice-President Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said a notice of vacancy under Article 49A of the Federal Constitution involving the six MPs had been submitted and received by the office of the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.
Sivamurugan said Bersatu's plans to take legal action clearly show that this issue will persist and not bring stability to the country's politics.
"Each party is viewing it from two different perspectives.
"Some are looking at it based on the Federal Constitution and the Anti-Party Hopping Act, while the Speaker is viewing the Constitution from a different angle," he added.
Sivamurugan acknowledged it may be time to bring the Anti-Party Hopping Act back to the Dewan Rakyat to address the gaps in the current act.
"This is to ensure that such events do not recur, as we do not want to see this situation prolonged," he said.