“If there are technical issues or shortcomings in the law, we need to address and rectify them if necessary. We should not encourage this practice of party hopping,” Johari said after opening the Titiwangsa Umno division delegates meeting today.

Johari said the culture of party hopping would undermine investor confidence in the country’s political stability, the New Straits Times reported.

“Imagine, if an investor comes to our (country) based on this government but halfway through there is a change of government. It will be a problem when there is a change in policies,” Johari added.

He cited the example of Malaysia’s U-turn on goods and services tax, which was introduced in 2016 but was abolished by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2018. “We know that the (GST) system is good and is being implemented in 174 countries around the world,” he was quoted as saying.

The anti-hopping law came into the spotlight after six Bersatu MPs  ceased to be party members for declaring support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Last week, the Dewan Rakyat speaker said there was no need to vacate their parliamentary seats.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government is open to amending any loopholes in the anti-hopping law.