PONTIAN: The Anti-Party Hopping Act needs to be reinforced to address the anomalies arising when four Perikatan Nasional (PN) members of Parliament shifted their support to the unity government.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the recent development involving the four PN MPs is a test to the effectiveness of the existing law.
"It is highly peculiar if opposition MPs declare their support for the government, but it does not impact their positions.
"It is awkward for an opposition MP who opposes their party but remains within the opposition. Therefore, these anomalies need to be reconsidered through specific amendments.
"The Anti-Party Hopping Act must be re-examined because we have not faced such a situation before. It is a new matter and I hope the Act will be rectified or amended," he said.
He said this after presenting certificates to Unmo veterans at the Pontian Umno Veterans office.
Last Friday, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malasia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin urged a review of the Anti-Party Hopping Act due to weaknesses exposed by the actions of the four MPs who expressed support for the Prime Minister but remained with their party.
The four MPs are Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim and Jeli MP Zahari Kechik.
Asked when would it be the appropriate time to amend the Act, Ahmad, who is Pontian MP, said that it could be done at any time.
"All laws, including the Constitution, can be amended whenever necessary," he said.
Ahmad, who is also the Deputy Finance Minister, said that the amendments to the Act are crucial to prevent the problem of MPs who switch allegiance.
"It is awkward when an MP disagrees with us (the party), but we cannot dismiss them, and we can only suspend them. This is because dismissing MPs who switch support would result in the party losing seats, and a by-election would have to be held according to the Act," he added.