PETALING JAYA: There has been support across the board for the proposed anti-party hopping Bill to be tabled at a special Dewan Rakyat sitting on April 11 but the provision for recall elections has seen mixed reactions.

       Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and PAS, however, have remained non-committal.

       Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said its lawmakers agreed with the anti-hopping Bill, which will be tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

       “Various responses have been submitted in our discussions on the proposed Bill,” said the Pontian MP.

       However, Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said there were reservations over the inclusion of the recall election mechanism, arguing that it could cost a lot of money.

       “If we allow for recall elections, it could cost money as we will be forced to hold by-elections.

       “Whatever it is, we must bring it to Parliament first. If there are any further amendments, perhaps we can do them later,” said the former law minister.

       A recall law will allow voters to decide to remove an elected official before their official term has ended. It is initiated via a signed petition, submitted to the Election Commission, requesting for a recall election.

       It may also be triggered when an MP switches allegiance to another party.

       Nazri noted that the recall process could take a long time before being fully implemented.

       “We have a mandate of five years and we do not know how long the recall process would take,” the senior lawmaker said.

       PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said Pakatan Harapan’s technical committee would meet with the government’s side today to go through the latest draft of the Bill.

       “We believe an important element of the Bill would be a mechanism for an MP to test his or her stand – which led to him or her leaving or being sacked from a party – in an election.

       Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the anti-party hopping Bill must be brought to Parliament and be supported by all parties.

       “It will need a high level of commitment from all MPs. Both Barisan and Pakatan have had painful experiences when they were betrayed by their own elected representatives who switched parties to chase for position, for power, for their own comfort and to save themselves, said the Bagan Datuk MP.

       Ahmad Zahid added that it was a constitutional amendment which would also require two-thirds support from the Dewan Rakyat.

       Umno’s Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is also a staunch supporter and reiterated calls for the recall law provision, as it would allow the voters to decide whether their MPs should remain in office or not.

       Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) communications director Khalid Abdul Samad also said the recall provision should be included as part of the Bill.

       “That would require the person who crosses over to a new party or to become an independent to prove that his actions are endorsed by his constituents,” said the Shah Alam MP.

       Khalid cited the example of his brother Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, who resigned as Johor Bahru MP in 1988 and won the resulting by-election as an independent. He later rejoined Umno.

       “Anyone who hops should lose his seat. A by-election or recall election can be held and the leader who jumped can re-contest the seat,” added Khalid.

       The call was renewed by MCA, whose spokesperson Chan Quin Er said the recall elections were practised in countries such as the United Kingdom and Taiwan.

       Bersatu’s Sabak Bernam MP Datuk Mohamad Fasiah Mohd Fakeh, meanwhile, said the matter would have to be discussed with party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       PAS was also reticent. Secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has said the Bill must be studied carefully to avoid any unwanted implications in the future.

       He said the definition of “hopping party” must be clearly defined.

       After the 14th General Election in May 2018, there was a slew of defections, especially from Umno to Bersatu.

       The party-hopping phenomenon intensified during the “Sheraton Move”, a week-long political impasse that saw the exit of the 26 Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) MPs and 11 from PKR, triggering the collapse of the Pakatan government.

       The Pakatan government had initially consisted of 50 MPs from PKR, 42 from DAP, 11 from Amanah and Bersatu, 26.

       The defections continued after the Sheraton Move, with several MPs leaving PKR, like Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Kuala Langat), Larry Sng (Julau), Steven Choong (Tebrau) and Jugah Muyang (Lubok Antu). The party has only 35 MPs now.