KUALA LUMPUR: The anti-hopping law needs to be improved if there are any shortcomings in the legislation, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said.
"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 (party-hopping). I believe we need to teach young people and future generations the importance of upholding strong principles.
"We must not use technical issues as a way to avoid these principles," Johari told Buletin TV3 when met after he launched the Titiwangsa Umno division delegates meeting at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today.
Johari, who is also the Titiwangsa member of parliament, said the act of switching political parties by elected representatives after winning elections should not be encouraged.
"I believe that once we have been elected as a candidate by a party.. switching parties should not be encouraged for the sake of future development of the country.
"Such actions may scare off investors.
"Imagine, an investor comes to our based on this government. However, halfway through, there is a change in the federal administration.
"It will be a problem when there is a change in policies (in the event there is a change in the federal administration)," said Johari, who is also the Plantation and Commodities Minister.
Johari cited the aftermath of the 14th General Election in 2018 which saw the fall of Barisan Nasional's (BN) 60-year-long hold on power as an example.
"After BN lost the election, there were so many changes in the government's policies including the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax.
"In the end, what happened? We know (now) that the system (the tax mechanism) is good and is being implemented in 174 countries around the world.
"These are the lessons that we must learn so that party-hopping will not become our culture (in the country's political landscape)," he said.