THE country’s anti-party hopping law would be more powerful if Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had agreed to support the amendment to Article 49A of the Federal Constitution in 2022, a DAP lawmaker said.

Syahredzan Johan said due to Bersatu’s objection to strengthening Article 49A, there were clear loopholes in the anti-party hopping law.

“In the past, Bersatu did not agree that MPs who were dismissed should vacate their seats. Therefore, Article 49A of the Federal Constitution regarding party hopping has a clear loophole.

“With the speaker’s decision on the six lawmakers who expressed support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, it is time for us to consider amending Article 49A(2)(c), ” said Syahredzan, who is also Bangi MP.

Six MPs who recently ceased to be members of Bersatu were told by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul that they did not need to vacate their seats.

The six MPs are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

The six drew flak after failing to respond to a notice to confirm their loyalty as they had pledged support for the prime minister’s leadership.

In 2022, Muhyiddin said special exemption and protection from the proposed anti-hopping legislation must be given to MPs who are sacked from their parties for speaking out against their leaders.

Muhyiddin told the Dewan Rakyat that he opposed the idea that a lawmaker who is fired from his party should vacate his seat under the new proposed law.

He said that MPs can be sacked for disciplinary issues, and that they face the risk of removal for opinions that may not sit well with their party leaders.

Syahredzan said Bersatu are the “authors of their own misfortune”.

“If it wasn’t for Bersatu, our anti-party hopping law would be more powerful,” he said.

“The question I want to put to Bersatu is, are you all ready to ‘U-turn’ on your stand and support the amendment to Article 49A of the Federal Constitution?” – July 13, 2024.

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