Does the anti-party hopping law contain a loophole? Yes, say legal experts

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 — Questions abound regarding the status of the Sabah lawmakers who announced their exit from Sabah Bersatu and what this means for the nascent anti-party hopping law.

The most immediate would be whether elected lawmakers wanting to switch parties post-general election could use Article 49A(2)© of the Federal Constitution to their advantage.

Sabah-based constitutional lawyer Tengku Datuk Fuad Tengku Ahmad said, based on his observations, Article 49A(2)© renders the anti-party hopping law “legally impotent”.

In the context of the four Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) MPs, Tengku Fuad said Article 49A(2)© has ended up protecting the act of party hopping.

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