It is high time that a bipartisan approach be sought to enhance the democratic process in the country, specifically to craft an anti-hopping law for the greater good of the nation.

Political instability caused by political 'grasshoppers', if allowed to perpetuate, will further damage the country's investment potential, economic development and harmony among its people.

Let us not forget the developments that had occurred in Sabah when Joseph Pairin Kitingan's party (PBS) won by a razor-thin majority in Sabah. How does one account for the sudden crossovers such that Pairin's party failed to govern despite having won the election democratically? Who wooed who?

In 2008, it was PKR's supremo Anwar Ibrahim who started it all, first by harping on crossovers since March 8 and succeeding last month in ‘winning’ over a wakil rakyat from BN. Thereafter, Malaysians witnessed three PKR wakil rakyat going independent. We are not sure how many more crossovers will occur.

However, who or which political party or coalition is the real 'King of Political Grasshoppers'? Did PKR emulate others? Or was ‘crossover politics’ an innovation of PKR?

And why did the ruling coalition not establish an anti-hopping law when it was enjoying more than a two-thirds majority in Parliament? Was it because it was to its advantage not to do so, or for other reasons?

Why did former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim fail in his bid to establish an anti-hopping law? Is the ruling coalition still encouraging 'political grass-hopping' or will it follow the winds of change? And why is it that certain mainstream journalists seem to demonise PKR alone as being the culprit in instigating wakil rakyat to cross over?

Now, if there is no law on crossovers, is the act legally wrong (regardless of whether it is PKR or BN which is initiating it)? If there are no traffic laws or signs, it is wrong to cross the road any how one likes?

However, if it is morally wrong, could we begin searching for a bipartisan approach soonest possible for the greater good of the nation?

There is also the issue of pre-signed resignation letters. Undoubtedly, this is a really tricky issue. It's like walking on no man's land!

No one can dispute this fact that when a person joins a certain political party, he/she fully and willingly agrees to abide by the party's rules and regulations, as well as any other requirements that may be imposed by the party concerned.

These requirements may include the agreement to resign from the electoral seat if the party's candidate wins, or for some reason he/she decides to join another political party. Resigning from the party itself is the person's choice, unless it is a disciplinary case.

There is no coercion at all with regard to such an agreement or arrangement because the person concerned could well have chosen not to contest under the party's banner in the very first place if he/she feels the above requirement infringes on his/her freedom or independence.

However, if he/she on his/her own volition pre-signs the resignation form, then he/she cannot at some later stage change his/her mind concerning his/her resignation, or even deny having pre-signed the resignation letter.

Otherwise, this will make a mockery of people who willingly enter into agreements, which may or may not include pre-signing a resignation letter. The courts must be judicious if it is called upon to decide, as it will have serious and far-reaching implications on commercial and other non-commercial cases.

As it is, it would seem unfair for one party to the agreement to annul the agreement or walk out of the agreement just like that. To cite an illustration among non-Muslim marriages, the husband certainly cannot just say ‘I divorce you’, and that's that or vice-versa. What was agreed to in an agreement must be adhered to and honoured. There are no two ways about it under civil law.

Going forward, it is hoped that Malaysia's democracy could mature further. It is hoped that the anti-hopping law could be quickly established, and political crossovers be completely ruled out.

If a wakil rakyat is unhappy with his/her political party, he/she should just resign from his/her electoral seat, and a by-election should be called.

This will also respect the voters who had waited for five long years to exercise their democratic right. Voters should not be taken for granted. Democracy should be the real winner.