Calling the practice “treacherous,” the Port Dickson MP said party-hopping betrays the trust  of the voters and carries the consequences that come with it.

“Traitors will not win. Can a traitor win? Not yet, they all have lost badly,” he claimed in an interview with Mingguan Malaysia published today.

“I also pray that the traitors continue to fall. From our experience since 2004, those switching parties have learnt that treachery never pays.

“As soon as one betrays the voters, they will punish those who switch.”

Anwar said that discussions must begin immediately over the formulation of an anti-hopping law to ensure there are legal means to address the issue.

His comments come just a day after Kuala Langat MP Dr Xavier Jayakumar announced he had left PKR and declared himself an independent in support of Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional-led government.

Last month, more PKR members crossed over, with Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong leaving the party and declaring support for Muhyiddin.

Speculation continues that more opposition members will be switching allegiances after PN leader Mohamed Azmin Ali and Umno’s Annuar Musa hinted at it yesterday.