KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 – THE six MPs whose Bersatu memberships were recently revoked will not need to vacate their seats, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
The decision was conveyed in a letter dated July 9 from Johari Abdul to the party’s chief whip, Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said at a news conference on Wednesday (July 10).
The six Bersatu MPs are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang), and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
The six federal lawmakers were sacked by Bersatu after openly pledging support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the unity government.
At a press conference in the Parliament building on Wednesday, Muhyiddin said in the case of Suhaili, Johari had given a “flimsy excuse” for not vacating the seat as the Labuan MP had initiated a court case against Bersatu.
For the other five MPs, Muhyiddin did not specify the Speaker’s reason for retaining them, merely stating that the decision was based on shallow excuses and a flawed interpretation.
Muhyiddin who is also the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman said Johari had acted unconstitutionally by refusing to vacate the seats of the six MPs, adding that the Speaker’s reasons for refusing were perverse and in violation of the anti-hopping provisions incorporated into the Federal Constitution.
“Article 49A(1)(a)(ii) of the Federal Constitution clearly states that the seat of a Dewan Rakyat member shall become vacant if he is no longer a member of the political party after being elected as a Dewan Rakyat member of the particular political party,” he remarked.
“In this situation, it is clear that the six MPs here are no longer members of Bersatu following the provisions of the party’s constitution.
“The Speaker’s decision is in conflict with the provisions of the law and has acted outside his jurisdiction in making a perverse interpretation, only the courts have this jurisdiction.”
He said Bersatu will consult its lawyers and file legal action to contest the Speaker’s ruling if necessary. – July 10, 2024
