Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said it was beyond her purview to comment on what will happen next as the anti-hopping law was now in place.

“I must wait for the official report and legal opinion of the Attorney-General’s Chambers. But, ultimately, the final decision lies with the Speaker,” Berita Harian quoted her as saying.

On Saturday, leaders of Sabah Bersatu said they were leaving the party and would form a new party.

The four newly elected MPs said to have left the party are Armizan Ali (Papar), Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan (Batu Sapi), Jonathan Yasin (Ranau) and Matbali Musah (Sipitang).

Under the anti-hopping law, made by an amendment to the Federal Constitution, MPs stand to lose their seats if they move to another party. Exceptions are given to MPs sacked by their party or if their party is dissolved or deregistered.

Former law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said yesterday the procedure was for an MP to notify the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat that a casual vacancy has occurred.

The Speaker, having established that there was such a vacancy, must notify the Election Commission and the vacancy must be filled within 60 days.

Azalina said the Speaker of the lower house must decide on the course of action within 21 days after the MPs provide notice of a vacancy.