Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law tested by controversial ruling on sacked MPs

The speaker’s decision will likely “come back to haunt” the government as it potentially paves the way for MPs on either side of the divide to break ranks in pursuit of their individual interests, said Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri, the head of the political science department at the International Islamic University of Malaysia.

“It can and definitely will be used against the government,” she added.

Speaker Johari Abdul informed opposition party Bersatu on Tuesday that there would be no vacancy in the seats held by six former party MPs, who were sacked earlier this year for declaring their support for Anwar in exchange for financial support from the government for their constituencies.

The opposition said they will pursue “appropriate” legal action to challenge the speaker’s interpretation of the law, which they described as “twisted” and a betrayal of the constitutional amendments meant to clamp down on MPs switching political parties.

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“Bersatu has decided to take action by appointing legal experts to take the appropriate action to uphold the federal constitution and the party constitution of Bersatu,” party president Muhyiddin Yassin said in a statement on Wednesday.

Electoral reform group Bersih said the speaker had “erred in understanding” the principles and purpose of the anti-party hopping provisions and that his decision would create legal loopholes that will erode public confidence and potentially lead to political instability.

The decision also implies that parliament remains constrained by the executive, “reinforcing the perception that the government is more interested in maintaining power than doing the right thing,”