Anti-party hopping law has no effect on political leaders who defect by expressing support for opposing party leaders

SHAH ALAM - The anti-party hopping law has no effect on political leaders who defect by expressing support for opposing party leaders.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian explained that the leader remains in the party and merely offers assistance.

According to him, Act A1663, which deals with the legislation that forbids MPs from switching parties, expressly stipulates that the seat held must be resigned if the member leaves the party, but not if the party fires him.

"The only question that comes up is whether the party can tolerate an elected official's decision to back the administration as long as he stays in the party and whether the elected official wants to be fired by the party.

"We are aware that the law against party jumping will take effect immediately in the event that the people's representative chooses to leave the celebration.

"But if he is fired from the party, it will make it possible that there will be no vacant seats," he told Sinar when contacted.

Previously, it was reported that Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid had chosen to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) official claimed that the strategy was taken after looking over the continuous complaints of voters and emphasiing the urgent need to deal with the crisis of the rising cost of living that has hit his area.

Commenting further, Sivamurugan said that the act ultimately leaves the matter to the party's discretion whether to accept the decision or otherwise.

"In my view, that is the angle of relaxation in the act so that in the end the party leadership makes the decision," he stated.

Therefore, he insisted, the loyalty of every elected representative to the party can be tied through the improvement of the party's constitution.