Loke: DAP's anti-hopping rule unaffected by ex-Bersatu 6 decision

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke believes that his party’s anti-hopping rule is unaffected by the recent speaker’s decision on the six former Bersatu lawmakers.

Loke explained that this was because, unlike Bersatu, the party had enacted the provision before the 15th general election.

“Therefore, all candidates running under our ticket as DAP party candidates are bound by the provisions in the party’s constitution.

“In the case of Bersatu, from what I understand, their situation is somewhat different because the (party) constitutional amendments took place after the general election,” he said.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul had rejected Bersatu’s bid to remove six MPs who had their party memberships forfeited after failing to abide by updated rules.

The rule, similar to those implemented by DAP, Amanah, and Umno, punishes rebels by forfeiting their membership.

In Johari’s letter sighted by Malaysiakini, the speaker argued that Bersatu’s rule went against the Federal Constitution and Parliament rules that guaranteed MPs’ freedom to speak, debate, and vote.

However, the speaker made no mention of the rule being defective because of when it was enacted, contrary to Loke’s argument.

DAP in strong position against hopping

Elaborating, Loke said that unlike those who contested under the DAP banner during the last general election, the Bersatu six were neither aware of the provision nor bound by it.

“However, the speaker is entitled to his view on the matter. Of course, he based his view after consulting the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“From DAP’s perspective, it does not affect what we have implemented within the party,” he stressed.

Loke said he was confident that the party would have a strong case if the party made a similar request to the speaker, should one of its lawmakers go against the party.

“If today someone goes against the DAP’s decision and we request the speaker to vacate that seat for us, we have a strong case.

“Every DAP candidate who contested is bound by that condition and the constitutional provision. So that is the difference between DAP’s provision amendment and Bersatu’s,” he said.

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