KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut-PN) led a walkout in Parliament today after delivering a heated speech disputing Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s decision against vacating the seats held by the six MPs who were sacked by Bersatu.
Prior to the walkout, an evidently emotional Hamzah took aim at Johari for allowing the six now-independent lawmakers to retain their seats, accusing the speaker of acting beyond his powers and jeopardising the Federal Constitution.
“What will destroy us is the wrong decision you (Johari) have made, this is what will destroy our constitution,” Hamzah said in his speech.
“You want to be the best speaker, (but) you started by creating this problem! I’m asking you to understand that the decision you made is the wrong one! Thank you, I’m leaving the House now.”
He was followed out of the lower House by a group of opposition members, several of whom had also expressed their displeasure with Johari’s decision.
Tensions flared in the House when Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (Beluran-PN) raised a point of order to seek clarification on Johari’s decision, which the Bersatu chief whip claimed contradicted the spirit of the anti-party hopping law.
“When you debated here to support amendments allowing the existence of Article 49A (on anti-party hopping), you said we cannot allow the migration of MPs because it will destroy the nation, but your decision has destroyed the intent and purpose of the law.
“How do you reconcile this? I want to support you, but you have to adhere to the Federal Constitution. You do not have the power to make a decision (on seat vacancies), you only have the power to ensure the vacancy,” said Kiandee, who is also a Bersatu vice-president.
Expressing similar sentiments, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Bharu-PN) accused the speaker of interpreting the law, a power that the Federal Constitution only grants to the Federal Court.
The opposition chief whip also expressed concern over whether Johari’s ruling against vacating the six seats could set a binding precedent for potential similar instances in the future.
Amid vocal protests from the opposition, government backbenchers Syahredzan Johan (Bangi-PH) and R.S.N Rayer (Jelutong-PH) attempted to defend Johari’s decision, with their speeches receiving jeers from the opposition bloc.
The walkout, which was followed by a press conference, prevented the opposition from being present in the august House for Johari’s response to the grouses they had raised.
Standing by his decision to not vacate the seats of the six former Bersatu MPs who had pledged support for the government, Johari told the Dewan that he had made his decision after considering various factors, including the anti-party hopping law.
He also said that he is “not a postman” who merely acts to inform the Election Commission if a seat is deemed vacant by a party.
Earlier today, the six Bersatu-turned-independent MPs urged opposition leaders to cease politicising the issue and instead work together to ensure the nation’s economic recovery, aided by political stability.
The anti-party hopping law states that an MP’s seat will be vacated if the lawmaker in question resigns from their party, ceases to be a member of the party, or joins another political party.
However, the law that came into effect in October 2022 does not address instances where an opposition MP switches support to the government without first leaving their party.
Yesterday, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh-PN), who is also Perikatan Nasional chairman, accused Johari of “tarnishing” the constitution by not vacating the seats held by the six MPs, who were sacked from the party after declaring support for the government.
Muhyiddin also said the party’s appointed legal experts would take the appropriate action to uphold the law and the party’s constitution by challenging Johari’s decision in court.
The six lawmakers in question are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tg Karang). – July 11, 2024