SHAH ALAM – Selat Kelang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari insisted that he will still attend the Selangor Legislative Assembly sittings even though Bersatu has sent a notice to vacate his seat to the speaker.
The next sitting will commence on July 4.
He said Selangor Speaker Lau Weng San informed him that his seat would not be moved to the government bloc based on today’s discussion.
“During the discussion, Lau had examined the available information, facts, and evidence. He has yet to decide as he still needs more information and facts.
“The speaker will write a letter to me for that purpose shortly, which I will respond to once I receive it.
“Then, the speaker will make a final decision on whether it is necessary to vacate the Selat Kelang state assembly seat because it is part of the speaker’s duties to give a final and unquestionable decision,” he said at a press conference held at Wisma Dewan Negeri Selangor today.
It is understood that Rashid’s meeting with Lau today lasted almost an hour.
On June 21, Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali sent a written notice regarding the Selat Kelang assembly seat vacancy to the speaker.
Azmin, who is also Hulu Kelang assemblyman, said that he had informed Lau in a meeting that Rashid was no longer a Bersatu member.
Despite this, Rashid said he will continue his duties as an assemblyman and still considers himself a member of Bersatu for now.
“This is because the notice given to me is not effective as it is under Clause 10.4 and 10.5 of the Bersatu constitution which only came into effect on April 1, 2024.
“For me, in terms of the law, Bersatu cannot use the amendment to take action against me. It cannot be used given that I pledged my support for the Selangor menteri besar before the amendment was made,” he said.
According to Rashid, the speaker also informed that the decision on the matter will be made in the upcoming state assembly sitting.
“Yes, he will decide after receiving further facts and information needed.
“He said, whether he will decide at the upcoming sitting or within 21 days, it is up to his discretion,” he said.
In addition, Rashid said the speaker also informed him that his case is not similar to the decision made by the Kelantan Assembly speaker, who vacated the Nenggiri seat, resulting in an upcoming by-election.
“According to the speaker, my case is not the same as Kelantan’s because the Kelantan speaker made the decision too quickly without giving the assemblyman a chance to meet and discuss with him (the speaker).
He also stressed that based on the current political situation, there is no need for a Selat Kelang by-election.
“If you ask me now, there is actually no need for a by-election because after I explained to the residents and voters, they understand my situation and some are supportive.
“Additionally, by-elections involve large expenses,” he said. – June 26, 2024