Anwar open to discuss amending party hopping provisions in the constitution

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is open to discussing the amending of provisions in the federal constitution that prohibit party hopping. 

“If you (the opposition) want to amend the anti-hopping law, we can discuss it. It’s not a problem,” he said, reported FMT. 

He said this after attending Friday prayers at Surau An-Najah, Presint 9, Putrajaya. 

Anwar emphasised that during the drafting of the anti-hopping law, Pakatan Harapan had advocated for automatic disqualification of any MP removed from their party.

“However, at that time, Bersatu (which was part of the government then) did not agree to this because they were bringing in members from Umno,” he said.

The anti-hopping law came into effect on October 5, 2022.

This law is designed to discourage MPs from changing their party allegiance, which can destabilize governments and undermine electoral mandates. 

Demands to revise the anti-party hopping law surged following Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s declaration that six parliamentary seats held by MPs expelled from Bersatu for supporting Anwar would not be declared vacant.