Much-awaited anti-hopping law all for nothing, says Umno Youth chief

‘Congratulations on ruining the country, you political frogs’, says Dr Akmal Saleh.

(FMT) – Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has criticised Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul’s decision not to vacate the six seats held by former Bersatu MPs.

Akmal, a Melaka executive councillor, said the decision meant that the anti-hopping law which was much-awaited by Malaysians was “all for nothing”.

“‘Political stability’ is purely for self-interest. Don’t be angry with the people if they hate politicians now.

“Congratulations on ruining the country, you political frogs,” the Merlimau assemblyman said in a Facebook post.

Amendments to Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, commonly known as the anti-hopping law, came into effect in October 2022 as part of a reforms pact that the then Ismail Sabri Yaakob government had with Pakatan Harapan.

The push for such a law gained momentum after defections of several PKR MPs helped topple the PH government in February 2020.

However, Umno in particular suffered from multiple defections after Barisan Nasional lost the 14th general election, with Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and the then Jeli MP, Mustapa Mohamed, among those quitting the party to eventually join Bersatu.

Yesterday, PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP, Hassan Karim, also criticised Johari for not vacating the six seats held by the “rogue” former Bersatu MPs.

Hassan accused his party colleague of disrespecting Parliament by making decisions based on partisan political interests.