Pakatan Harapan component party Amanah has urged the coalition to exercise greater caution when accepting runaway federal lawmakers.

Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub today stated that Harapan should, in fact, be more firm and principled in this matter.

"We must be cautious as I do not want Harapan to become the destination or place for what we call ‘political escapees’.

"We must study their reasons why (they wish to join the coalition)," he said.

Salahuddin, who is also Pulai MP, was commenting on the possibility of the crossover of over 40 Umno MPs into Bersatu, as hinted by Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin last Saturday.

The matter arose following the recent admission of Jeli MP and former Umno supreme council member Mustapa Mohamed into Bersatu.

In a statement today, electoral watchdog Bersih also urged caution on the part of the ruling coalition, stating that those switching camps were clearly driven by positions and personal gains.

Its steering committee said such crossovers of opposition MPs were a "betrayal to the mandate given by the voters" and a "mockery of our democracy".

Bersih also warned that the move could be done in the hopes of some escaping criminal prosecution.