Malaysia bans party-hopping MPs in bid to stabilise government

MALAYSIA'S Parliament on Thursday (Jul 28) passed a bipartisan Bill to curb defections by lawmakers, a major cause of political instability and a sign that elections may be round the corner.

The ban on party-hopping was approved with a 2/3 majority and is part of a series of reforms introduced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri in September aimed at strengthening the administration of government.

Malaysia has seen 3 governments in over 2 years, triggered mostly by lawmakers switching parties and allegiances.

The Bill, seen as a prelude to general elections that are widely expected to be held before the September 2023 deadline, aims to end a persisting culture of political horse trading among lawmakers.

Ismail tabled the Bill on Wednesday after a bipartisan committee oversaw amendments to the constitution to facilitate the proposed law.

"Party hopping, defection or floor crossing, has caused a lot of debate among the general public," Ismail told Parliament. "This is because it involves the mandate or trust of the people who elect their representatives in Parliament." BLOOMBERG