Late last year Sarawak MP for Lubuk Antu switched allegiances to Perikatan Nasional citing the need to get development grants. Julau MP Larry Sng used the same reasoning to justify his most recent move.What are the unique features of Sarawak politics as well as Malaysian politics more broadly that we see playing out in these most recent defections? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to James Chin, Professor of Asian studies, at the Asia Institute, University of Tasmania, Australia.