Restricting the freedom of thought and action of elected representatives to prevent party-hopping could ultimately strengthen the grip of elite groups within political parties rather than democracy itself, a former Bersatu lawmaker said today.

In a Facebook statement, independent Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan said that elected representatives must retain the freedom to act according to their own convictions and judgment, even when parties face defections or expulsions.

“If the...