THE government should fast-track the plan to enact anti-party hopping legislation as “frogs” can jump anytime, Azalina Othman Said (Pengarang-BN) said.

“Frogs don’t care when they jump. They can do it day and night,” the former deputy speaker said during the debate on the Royal Address in Dewan Rakyat.

“As such, the government should put up anti-party hopping laws as soon as possible.

“In this sense, I hope the government will fast track my private member’s bill to be debated in Dewan Rakyat and use it as the basis of an anti-party hopping law,” she said.

The term “frogs” has become a common reference for lawmakers inexplicably switching allegiances, often for personal or financial gain.

Since 2018, Umno has lost 15 MPs, while PKR has lost 13 MPs to Bersatu.

Meanwhile, given the variety of reasons for an MP to join another party, Azalina said the fairest way was to let voters decide by way of a referendum.

“Not all MPs hop for themselves. Some are sacked and others resign. As such there should be a mechanism for voters to decide whether to replace the MP,” she said.

Azalina has tabled a private member’s bill on anti-party hopping, and has been advocating a combination of such amendments and recall election mechanisms.

Meanwhile, Azalina has also suggested that the government separate the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) from the public prosecutor’s role.

“The AGC and the public prosecutor should not be the same person. The public prosecutor cannot be appointed by the prime minister.

“He or she should be appointed by a separate body such as the Judicial Appointments Commission (which appoints judges) and have security of tenure (cannot be terminated),” Azalina said.

This is to allow the prosecutor to act freely and not be seen as an extension of the executive branch of government, she added.

She said that the AGC, which advises the prime minister and the government, can come from one of the ministers.

“If so, the AG can then answer on behalf of the government in Parliament instead of only sending written replies,” said Azalina.

Passing anti-party hopping legislation is one of the conditions agreed upon by the government and Pakatan Harapan in their memorandum of understanding on political stability and reformation. – September 15, 2021.