Hasbie Muda, the PH Youth deputy chief, said Johari had the authority to decide on the matter.

The MPs in question are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), and Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).

Hasbie, who also heads the Amanah Youth wing, said Johari’s decision was unrelated to the anti-hopping law as the six MPs wished to remain Bersatu members but seemed to have been forced into losing their membership.

“Supporting the prime minister does not equate to party hopping, similar to when the opposition (Pakatan Harapan) signed the confidence and supply agreement during Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration.

“The opposition at that time supported Ismail and even supported the government in Parliament,” he told FMT.

Yesterday, Akmal, a Melaka executive councillor, said Johari’s decision meant that the much-awaited anti-hopping law had been “all for nothing”.

PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim also criticised Johari for not vacating the six seats, accusing the speaker of disrespecting Parliament by making decisions based on partisan political interests.

Amendments to Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, commonly known as the anti-hopping law, came into effect in October 2022 as part of a reforms pact between Ismail’s government and PH.

The push for such a law gained momentum after the defections of several PKR MPs helped topple the PH government in February 2020.

Umno also suffered multiple defections after Barisan Nasional lost the 14th general election, with Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and then Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed among those quitting the party to eventually join Bersatu.