KUALA LUMPUR – The proposal to amend Bersatu’s party constitution so that MPs who pledge their support to the opposing party must vacate their parliamentary seat is considered a desperate move.
Umno Veterans Club secretary-general Datuk Mustapha Yaakub however said that the party has no choice but to amend the constitution due to recent events, wherein the party “lost” six of its MPs when they declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government, despite not quitting Bersatu.
He said logically, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should just let go of these Bersatu MPs, allowing them to join whatever party they want to.
“I see the constitutional amendment as a desperate measure, given that now six Bersatu representatives have declared their support for the prime minister.
“If those six members wish to join Umno, we would welcome them, as most of them were previously from Umno.
“If I’m Bersatu president, I would just sack them (the six Bersatu representatives). I would never keep them in the party because it is evident that they are not loyal to the party. I would just let them go,” he told Scoop.
Previously, Bersatu information chief Datuk Razali Idris was reported as saying that the party would convene for a meeting to amend Article 10 of its constitution to prevent possible betrayal by its elected representatives from recurring in the future.
He said that the amendment aims to mandate that party members supporting the opposing party are required to vacate their parliamentary seats, thereby paving the way for by-elections to take place.
So far, six Bersatu MPs have declared their support for Anwar: 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 Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), with the latest being Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang).
Meanwhile, Mustapha insists that Muhyiddin is no longer suitable to be appointed as prime minister, given his refusal to step down as the party president, despite a significant shift in support from party members towards the opposition.
He also said that based on his track record, Muhyiddin is one of the least successful prime ministers when compared to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during the period of government transition from 2018 to 2022.
“Muhyiddin is no longer deemed suitable for the role of prime minister, as he demonstrated a lack of success over his 17-month tenure in comparison to Dr Mahathir’s 21 months and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri’s 15 months.
“If we compare these three individuals, Muhyiddin has the poorest performance. That is why I said that he is no longer relevant,” he added.
Mustapha said that PAS already has a candidate for the position of prime minister, namely Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri, as has been mooted.
“If I were a supporter of PAS and Bersatu, I would choose Samsuri without a doubt due to his perceived visionary qualities.
“I say this not because I was to campaign for Samsuri but rather to draw a comparison between Samsuri and Muhyiddin,” he said. – February 2, 2024