KUALA LUMPUR – There will be no issues among Perikatan Nasional’s component parties in light of any possible by-elections, following Bersatu’s step to amend clause 10 of its constitution earlier today.
The amended clause prohibits party members from supporting opposing parties.
Speaking to Scoop, Bersatu secretary Datuk Muhammad Suhaimi Yahya said all parties under the PN umbrella are on the same page regarding which component will contest their respective seats.
“(Our agreement is that) these seats are Bersatu in death and resurrection, you (other parties) will not get them. That is our understanding, to agree on which seats belong to whom.
“We have discussed such matters. We (Bersatu) assist in the coalition’s component members’ victories, as they assist in ours. You cannot live alone,” he said when met at Bersatu’s special assembly at Ideal Convention Centre Selayang today.
The assembly resulted in a unanimous endorsement by Bersatu delegates on amending clause 10 of the party’s constitution, which would mean expulsion for the six Bersatu lawmakers who had previously aligned themselves with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration – should they choose to persist in their declarations.
Meanwhile, Suhaimi downplayed the perception of Bersatu’s diminishing numbers in Parliament, explaining that it is only important in certain cases.
“If Anwar’s side has 112 members in Parliament and we have 110, we are still the opposition. If we have three and he has 219, the same applies.
“The question of numbers is only relevant when one thinks of how to take over the government. That is its only importance. For now, let it be,” he said.
Other delegates also expressed their wholehearted support for the amended clause, such as a member who goes by Khahlid, who said all members must uphold their party’s struggle throughout.
“This amendment is important in ensuring that Bersatu’s lawmakers and assemblymen do not easily shift support to other people under the basis of fund allocations or the people,” he said.
Nina Zain and Mimi, members of Bersatu’s Batu division, similarly welcomed the amendment.
“It is very good because we do not need those who are ‘talam dua muka’ (two-faced). They are self-centred and greedy, but the people are the victims,” Nina said.
“We are 100% in support of the amendment,” Mimi chimed in.
In recent months, six Bersatu MPs have switched their support to 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).
Current anti-hopping laws state that lawmakers lose their constituency seat 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