Party-hopping: What they said then

Video clips, posts and speeches on the internet have haunted Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders ever since they struck a deal with their former enemy Umno to gain a majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has already come under fire for failing to fulfil promises such as lowering fuel prices and abolishing laws such as the Sedition Act, which has been used against critics including opposition leaders.

Last week, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul decided not to declare the six seats belonging to turncoat MPs as vacant – the latest in a series of about-turns and broken promises by Anwar and his coalition.

The decision sparked public outrage as well as criticism by leaders from both sides who warned Anwar that his government's credibility had reached a low since taking over Putrajaya two years ago.

PH was, after all, the main bloc pushing for constitutional amendments to prevent elected representatives from changing sides, which it said was the reason for the political instability since the 2018 general election.

As part of a deal in 2022 between then prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and PH as the opposition, the anti-hopping law was tabled and passed unanimously.

Among others, it provides that any elected representatives who cease to be members as a result of violating their party constitution will see their seats declared vacant. 

We look back at statements by current government leaders arguing for the anti-hopping laws.

A matter of dignity
We think this is a matter of dignity or integrity of the MPs, to the extent that some are saying that MPs are for sale. The problem is not only defections, treachery or party hopping, the issue that the prime minister must be aware of and which must be observed by bodies such as MACC is that it involves corruption, bribery and fraud.
Anwar Ibrahim, PKR

Anti-hopping law to stop seat buying
In the upcoming election, let's say there is no one dominant party and there is only a difference of three or four seats.

Imagine, Mr Speaker, if there is a wealthy party that can buy 10 or 15 outsiders, outsiders with investments of RM200, RM300, RM400 or RM1 billion to get 10 MPs. It's not impossible. This is not unusual.
Johari Abdul, PKR

Enticing MPs to switch loyalty

It's what we call the "carrot and stick", involving elected representatives. We have seen how MACC cases against elected representatives were announced, but once they jumped, these cases disappeared.
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, PKR

Dangerous when MPs switch loyalties and keep seats
This means, Mr Speaker, in these three circumstances, if an MP makes a decision that goes against the decision of his party in such circumstances, he can be fired. When he is dismissed, he has to vacate the seat but unfortunately, I'm aware that this matter did not receive consensus by the special select committee (on drafting the anti-hopping law). So, it was not included in the constitutional amendment.

However, I want to state, Mr Speaker, that this is very dangerous because if, by this amendment, a dismissal from a political party is not considered as party hopping, then MPs can actually resort to more loopholes without jumping parties. He can keep his seat without changing parties even if he violates his party decision.
Anthony Loke, DAP

The enemies within
The people out there will know who supports reforms in the country's politics with this constitutional amendment, and who is a wolf in sheep's clothing. People will see. People will know and identify them one by one. So, that will be a signal that in the next general election, this is what is needed. These are the ones about whom people must do something.
Fahmi Fadzil, PKR

MP position not for sale
What's the point of voting again? What is the point of electing a candidate, making him reap the benefits by jumping parties? The position of an MP is treated as a commodity for trading, like a bargain for meat and chicken sold in the market.
Chong Chien Jen, DAP

Respect every vote
Any individual who has been elected as a representative of the people can no longer change parties like they change clothes. They need to respect the principles, vision and mission of the party they represent and respect every vote that was given to them.
Lim Lip Eng, DAP

Don't deny funds to lure MPs
In addition, an act to ensure the equality of allocation for MPs regardless of whether they are in the government or the opposition, is crucial because it ensures that an MP does not have to switch his position simply to get development funds for his constituency which he deserves in the first place. This is one example.
Chan Foong Hin, DAP

Punish MPs who cheat voters
But the people's concern is why these MPs cannot be punished. If ordinary people who cheat can be punished under Section 420 of the Penal Code, "a person who practises deception, a person who conducts himself dishonestly, who cheats someone, can be charged under Section 420". Why are MPs given the privilege or privileged treatment and not charged in court for cheating voters? This is my question.
RSN Rayer, DAP

Voters chose parties, not candidates
At the general election, people voted not for a candidate's handsome or beautiful face. They chose the party's symbol because the people believed that the party was the best to represent that seat.
Cha Kee Chin, DAP

MPs bound by party directive
Any MP who refuses to toe the party line here will cease to be a member of the political party, and have to vacate their seats in Parliament. This will act as a deterrence for MPs from defying party directives, thus ensuring party discipline.

In the process of introducing the anti-hopping law, the lawmakers in the previous Parliament also amended Article 10 of the Federal Constitution on the freedom of association, to restrict the freedom of association for MPs, subject to the anti-hopping law. The implication here is that an MP is bound by party directive, and no longer a "free agent".
Azalina Othman Said, Umno

Focus on the people's rights
I want to stress here that when we discuss the anti-hopping bill, let's not focus too much on the rights of the MP who jumped. Don't talk about "his rights". He has already jumped. What is important is to talk about the people's rights. That's what matters. We must emphasise their rights, which is a far more important matter than the rights of MPs who have jumped, so that we do not lose our way. 

We always talk about MPs having rights, freedom of the session, and that we have to think about them. No, we have to think about the rights of the people who have already placed their hopes in someone as their representative, to represent the party supported by the people. However, if the MP thinks he is really great, and that he can win, then he should just contest as independent.
Nazri Aziz, Umno