Can Malaysia’s new prime minister end political instability?

Not many countries prevent elected lawmakers from switching sides. Lawmakers in the US also do switch sides in the middle of their terms but this is separate from who's the President who is separately elected so it doesn't lead to a change in government though it could potentially lead to a change in who has control of Congress.

An anti defection law also has further implications by potentially making party elections/control more important. For example, Singapore has something to that effect where a lawmaker is to vacate his seat if he resigns or is expelled from the party. If you apply this to Malaysia, Mahathir and Syed Saddiq and those who left Bersatu would have had to vacate their seats.

/r/malaysia Thread Parent Link - scmp.com