POLITICIANS who have jumped parties have not committed any offence unless money changed hands, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki.

Azam said leaders and politicians are free to jump parties according to their stand as there are no laws prohibiting them from doing so.

He said since there are no anti-party hopping laws in the country, individuals are free to join any political party.

“Anyone can jump parties if they want to, it’s their right, there is no law to prevent them from joining a different party.

“The anti-hopping law has not been introduced, therefore I cannot comment too much on it as it is not a crime, and there are also those who have left their parties to become independent members.

“This is also not a crime according to our laws,” he said.

Azam was commenting on former inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador’s call to MACC to investigate politicians who jump parties.

Hamid, who retired yesterday, urged MACC not to be afraid and to come in and take action against those who made the switch.

He added that party-hopping is “sickening” and that Malaysians too, are tired of this issue.

Azam said so far, MACC is only investigating those who garner support by paying money.

“Those we are investigating are people who pay money to get support, they are being investigated under the Election Offences Act,” he said.

Hamid also urged MACC not to leave the issue of party-hopping for the police to investigate.

He said this was important to restore the political values in the country.

“What I fear (if corruption is not stopped), police will be used to achieve political interests. This is not impossible,” Hamid had said. – May 4, 2021.