GE14 | Elected PKR representatives will be fined RM10 million if they defect to another party, said party leaders.

When contacted, party senior leader Johari Abdul confirmed that his party started the practice in the 2013 polls following the defection of several PKR leaders after the 2008 polls.

In the last election, the representatives only committed verbally that they will pay RM1 million if they "jump ship", according to him.

"But that was not documented as we did not prepare legal documents. So, that does not count," he said.

All the candidates who are contesting in parliamentary and state seats have signed the documents yesterday, he said.

PKR had issued appointment letters to candidates yesterday.

"Now, the representatives have to think twice (before defecting), unless you have RM10 million," he said.

The Star reported Negeri Sembilan PKR chief Aminuddin Harun as saying the candidates had signed a legal document to that effect.

Past experiences

Johari said PKR had lost several representatives to other parties in the last two parliamentary terms, particularly in Sabah.

In 2010, the then PKR Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim quit the party as an independent and joined Umno later. He is now Malaysia's Ambassador to Indonesia.

In 2016, PKR also lost Penampang MP Darell Leiking, Klias assemblyperson and its state chair Lajim Ukin, and Moyog state representative Terrence Siambun to Parti Warisan Sabah.

Elaborating further, Johari said the move will also prevent the country going haywire as a result of lawmakers’ defections.

Read more: At Perak Crisis site, PKR confronts its bitter history

Since the rakyat voted the lawmakers in, he said, the RM10 million fine paid by defectors would be returned to the people.

"The money is not for the party, the representative pay us, we will pay to the rakyat," he said.

Johari said the legal document signed by the candidates will be legally binding.

Meanwhile, PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil said that, among other reasons, the move was meant to ensure that chosen candidates remain true to the cause.

PKR will be contesting 51 parliamentary seats and 130 state seats in the upcoming general election.