The Sebatik assemblyman quit Warisan last week to become an independent friendly to the GRS ruling coalition.

Although lawyers believe the move will likely fail due to the present laws on freedom of association, the analysts believe Warisan wants to send a strong message against party hopping that may resonate with the public.

“Warisan is showing that it has and is proactively addressing the problem of frogging (party hopping),” Bridget Welsh of Nottingham University (Malaysia) told FMT.

“This is also showing the shame of the individual who jumped.

“A constitution is reinterpreted and it is important to recognise that there are other principles that are also important, including accountability. The process will move into the civil courts.”

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak deputy dean Arnold Puyok said Warisan is trying to test the limit of the law.

“They are just trying to argue their case and probably, at the same time, to remind the others (assemblymen) not to follow suit,” he said.

He, however, doubted if Warisan’s action would prevent other elected representatives from crossing the floor, as long as the law remained the same.

“They cannot control people from leaving … my thoughts are when it comes to party hopping, nobody or no parties in Sabah are beyond reproach, they are all party to it.

“And no amount of shaming or naming can change the support of the people towards the defecting assemblymen.

“If you perform, the people like you and no matter how many times you jump, you will still get voted,” Puyok said.

Warisan recently refused to back off even after Sabah assembly speaker Kadzim M Yahya rejected the pre-signed resignation letter.

Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr said the party would be taking legal action to compel Kadzim to accept Hassan’s resignation.

Loretto said party lawyers have documents that clearly indicate Hassan agreed to resign if he left the party, adding that Hassan also willingly signed a letter of allegiance to Warisan. They also have him on video making the pledge, which was shared on social media.

Kadzim had said the letter signed by Hassan was “ineffective” under the law.

Several lawyers had also said the letter was invalid and unenforceable because it violated the freedom of association guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Romzi Ationg believes that Warisan is attempting to “play up” the matter to win the support of the people.

“They know exactly what is the possible result based on the law and precedent cases.

“Besides gaining support through sympathy, the party also wants to tarnish the image of those who defect,” he said.