KUALA LUMPUR – Disputes among Umno leaders over Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s decision to allow the six MPs sacked from Bersatu to keep their seats will open up cracks in the party that could lead to more fractious politicking.
Umno veteran Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad told Scoop that the issue, which was not properly and reasonably resolved, would create a split among the party leaders.
“Umno is a component of the unity government, and there could be damning consequences if the party is inconsistent in its stance and principles.”
Previously, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam and Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh traded vulgar barbs over the seat brouhaha involving six MPs who were sacked from Bersatu. This came after Lokman took issue with Akmal for questioning Johari’s decision.
Shahrir, who is a former Johor Bahru MP, said amendments must be made to Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, which relates to the anti-hopping law, to fill the loopholes.
“Unclear laws create a window for various interpretations, including the speaker’s role and discretion. This led him to make his own interpretation, which is being criticised for adhering to his party’s stance.
“Similarly, the Kelantan assembly vacated the Nenggiri seat but Selangor did not do so. Which is the correct interpretation so the public is not confused?”
He added that all political parties must agree with the anti-hopping law to minimise “frogs” and advance the country’s democracy.
As for Umno Veterans Club chairman Datuk Othman Desa, he said it was not wrong for leaders to have differing opinions but not at the expense of the party.
“They should discuss their opinions among themselves, and not play it out on social media for their own gains.
“There will be times when we disagree. But to be good leaders, we should listen, try to resolve the issue and practice forgiveness. See each other as friends in the same party, not enemies,” he told Scoop.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Bersatu’s previous rejection of certain proposals for the anti-party hopping law came back to bite them.
He added that when the bill was being drafted, Bersatu opposed calls to include a stipulation on an automatic forfeiture of seats for terminated party members.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has accused Johari of “tarnishing” the Federal Constitution by not vacating the seats held by six opposition MPs who had declared support for the government, and that the party would be challenging the decision in court.
The six MPs involved are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul (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 Hanapi (Tg Karang).
The anti-party hopping law, enshrined under Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, 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 leaving their party. – July 15, 2024