KOTA TINGGI: The government should introduce a recall petition in line with the legal amendments to the anti-party hopping law, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Umno deputy president, who is also known as Tok Mat, added the move is currently in practice in Britain, where an MP can lose his seat after voters in his constituency sign a petition to remove him for switching parties.
“I personally view that it is better to do so (amend the anti-party hopping law), or we could also introduce a recall process as currently carried out in the United Kingdom.
“Under the recall process, any MP who defects from their party can be removed if more than 50% of their voters support a petition for their removal.
Showing appreciation: Mohamad (right) together with Umno Tenggara division chief Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba (left) presenting a party award to Neg Mat Osman, 99, at the Tenggara Umno division meeting in Kota Tinggi, Johor. — Bernama
“This will then trigger a by-election in the constituency,” he said after opening the Tenggara Umno division meeting here yesterday.
Mohamad made these comments in response to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who said the government is open to discussions on making legal amendments to plug any loopholes in the anti-party hopping law.
Mohamad said the anti-party hopping law was first proposed by Umno after some of its MPs decided to switch parties following the 14th General Election in 2018.
He said it was proposed by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
“Under the legal and reform cluster led by Azalina, we proposed very strict laws to ensure that our country will not end up chaotic and threatened by MPs who prioritise their personal agenda instead of serving the people.
“But this proposal was rejected back then. The other side did not agree that any MP who crosses the floor or supports the opposing party should lose their seat and be expelled from their political party,” he added.
Anwar reportedly stated earlier that the government is amenable to discussions about amending the anti-party hopping law.
He added Pakatan Harapan proposed such amendments in 2022, but its suggestion was rejected by the government at the time.
