KUALA LUMPUR: The definition of “party hopping” must be clear under the proposed law so it will not be used against MPs sacked by their respective parties for speaking the truth, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       Muhyiddin (PN-Pagoh) said there were concerns that, if the proposed Constitutional amendment to enable the anti-party hopping law is passed, an elected representative sacked by his party could lose the right to contest in an election for five years.

       “An MP who speaks the truth and is sacked by his party must vacate his seat immediately and there is no room to challenge the decision in court,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (April 11) while debating the Constitution (Amendment) (No.3) Bill 2022.

       He said that if the proposed amendment was passed, elected representatives might be afraid to speak out against their party leaders over corruption and other abuses.

       “It will be a black mark (on) our nation’s democratic process.

       “This is because the voice of MPs, who represent the will of the people, will be muted and silenced by the cabals that control political parties.

       “We will be putting the interests of (a) political party before the interests of the people,” he argued.

       Muhyiddin proposed that amendments should be made to Section 18(C) of the Societies Act to allow those sacked by their parties to challenge the decision in court.

       His view was echoed by Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal who said the definition of party hopping should be made very clear as it could have implications on the democratic process in the country.

       “ I raised the issue of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) in the Cabinet (circa 2015).

       “It was not my intention to quit the party but only to question the administration of the country.

       “But I was expelled from the party and the government,” said the Semporna MP.

       Shafie also questioned if expulsion from a party would count as party hopping and lead to an MP’s seat being declared vacant.

       “We need to be clear on the anti-party hopping law to bring stability to the government,” he added.

       The Umno Supreme Council unanimously decided to sack Muhyiddin on June 24, 2016, for breaking party rules, especially for sharing a stage with Opposition leaders to attack the party leadership.

       Shafie, who was then Umno vice-president, was suspended on June 24, 2016, pending a report from the party disciplinary committee. He quit the party soon after on July 4.

       Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar tabled the proposed Constitutional amendment in Parliament on Monday.

       The tabling and debate of the amendment will involve an enactment clause under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution to allow a new law prohibiting MPs from switching parties.