SELAYANG – Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the party has resoundingly endorsed the amendment to clause 10 of its constitution, aimed at prohibiting members from expressing support for opposing parties.
Muhyiddin emphasised that those found guilty of betrayal would not only lose their party membership but also have their parliamentary seats vacated.
This move would lead to the expulsion of the six Bersatu lawmakers who had previously aligned themselves with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, if they choose to persist in their declarations.
Muhyiddin said the amendment aligns with Article 49(a) of the Federal Constitution, and would also allow for the application of the anti-hopping law.
With unanimous support from the party’s delegates at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) today, Muhyiddin confirmed that the proposal would now be submitted to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) for approval.
“Upon RoS approval, we will promptly implement the amendment. We will communicate with all six lawmakers, requesting confirmation of their support for (Anwar),”
“If they affirm their allegiance, as per our constitution, their seats must be vacated. Should they choose voluntary resignation, it remains their prerogative,” he told a press conference during Bersatu’s extraordinary general meeting at the Ideal Convention Centre in Selayang today.
In recent months, six Bersatu MPs declared their support for Anwar’s administration while remaining in the opposition party.
They are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang MP), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), and Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tg Karang).
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin hoped that the notice they planned to send to the Dewan Rakyat would be accepted by the speaker, citing the “spirit” of the anti-hopping law.
He also said the party has made preparations for possible by-elections in the six constituencies, without elaborating on specific details.
Asked whether Bersatu will propose a bai’ah (pledge) for its members, Muhyiddin said the party had already conducted one in its previous assembly.
He noted that Zulkafperi was a member who had done the bai’ah, despite his subsequent actions.
“Bai’ah is that if you do not follow (certain matters), you will consequently be forsaken by God and the prophet, and any money you accept would be haram (forbidden).
“I am fearful, but it seems that certain people are not. We had to create laws for them to be fearful,” he said.
Current anti-hopping laws state that lawmakers lose their constituency seats if they jump to another party or quit their own, but not if they are sacked.
It does not address lawmakers who defy party orders yet remain in the organisation. This loophole saw DAP amend its constitution to cover the gap. – March 2, 2024