Anti-hopping law crystal clear, says ex-speaker amid controversy over MPs keeping seats

“If it’s true that everyone can vote freely, what’s the use of the party whip? And if indeed MPs should vote freely, what’s the point of having government and opposition benches? Sit wherever and vote individually.”

(MalaysiaNow) – The constitutional provision for vacating an MP’s seat has been clearly spelt out so that any decision on dealing with turncoat MPs can be easily made, says former Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun as controversy rages over the decision not to declare six opposition seats vacant despite the actions of their MPs resulting in their loss of membership in Bersatu.

Azhar was referring to Article 49A (1)(a)(ii), the result of the constitutional amendments in 2022 which were unanimously passed in the Dewan Rakyat during his time as speaker.

He said the specific clause deals with the kind of situation faced by the six MPs who defied Bersatu’s constitution by declaring their support for the government.

According to the clause, an MP can be disqualified if he resigns from his party or ceases to be a member.

Azhar said as a former speaker, he did not want to judge the actions of his successor, adding however that there was no ambiguity in the clause.

“This provision under the law is very clear,” Azhar, a lawyer with more than three decades of experience, told MalaysiaNow.