A LAW against party hopping must be introduced to stop lawmakers from betraying the people’s mandate, Selangor Umno liaison chief Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.

He said he would even support such a bill if the Pakatan Harapan government tabled it.

“There should be an anti-party-hopping law, and I will personally support the bill if Pakatan Harapan wants to introduce it in Parliament.”

The party vice-president added that he knew individuals in the ruling coalition who were also unhappy at the possibility of Bersatu accepting more Umno defectors.

“I know in that in Pakatan, they are not happy with Bersatu accepting Umno members. 

“Now, Bersatu is okay with it and some of their leaders are now saying it is fine. Surely (members) will be upset with their leaders,” Ismail Sabri said at a press conference today.

Umno has been hit by a string of elected representatives and members leaving the party. It has lost 17 MPs from Sabah and the peninsula, and seen the collapse of Sabah Umno with the departure of nine assemblymen and 21 division chiefs.

More MPs are said to be ready to quit the party. 

The exodus has prompted calls for party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down.

Ismail Sabri was particularly disgruntled with Sabak Bernam MP Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh, who was among those who quit the party last week to become an independent.

He said Faisah had personally denied leaving Umno to him but made the announcement hours later.

“We spoke just a few hours before he announced it. He told me he knew nothing about leaving Umno. But later, he was one of those who resigned,” said Ismail Sabri.

“We need a law to stop lawmakers from any side jumping ship. It is immoral and the act is a betrayal of the people’s mandate. Many are leaving Umno as if it is a norm to party-hop.” – December 17, 2018.