KUALA LUMPUR – The six Bersatu MPs who had supported the prime minister stressed that they would only vacate their seats if instructed by the Dewan Rakyat speaker or if ordered by the court.
Speaking to Scoop, Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal said the matter is going to take a long time as the amendment to Article 10 of the new Bersatu constitution was just done recently and it still needs approval from the Registry of Societies (RoS).
“At the moment, we don’t know the party’s next action, whether they will write a letter to say that the other MPs and I were guilty.
“If we don’t admit that we were wrong, they have to take the case to court, and all will be decided at court.
“After the court’s decision, they need to take it to the speaker of the Dewan Rakyat. (So) only when that is decided, the vacancy (of the seats) would happen,” he said.
The amendment to Article 10 of the Bersatu constitution which was approved during the special general meeting yesterday stated that the membership of any representatives will be stripped immediately if the individual expresses support to any party that is against the instruction or stance of the party.
Bersatu president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin informed Bersatu that the party will issue a letter to all six MPs who had expressed support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to confirm if the six individuals still stand by their decision.
He said if they continue supporting the prime minister, then in line with Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, the anti-party hopping law will come into effect and the parliament seats will be vacated.
Other than Syed Abu Hussin, other MPs were Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tg Karang).
In the meantime, Syed Abu Hussin said other Bersatu MPs who want to support the prime minister do not need to be afraid despite the amendment to the party constitution.
“If they want to support, no problem, they can support. The constitution has just been amended. RoS has yet to make a decision…and it takes a long time (for action to be taken against them).
“(They) don’t have to be afraid; this is a threat by the party. We are not protecting the seat, we are protecting the rakyat…protecting our principle.
“We fight for the rakyat, helping the rakyat. Helping the nation is the purpose of a leader, not (becoming) a leader who is led by the nose,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gua Musang MP, Azizi stressed that he is ready to challenge the decision of Bersatu constitution amendment if it is approved by RoS.
“If it is approved by RoS, I will challenge the matter myself at court,” he said, stressing that he will remain supporting the government under Anwar’s leadership.
“No matter what, my stance is still the same…I will continue supporting Anwar’s leadership.
“I am only supporting, I am not hopping party and what I do is for my voters in Gua Musang,” he said.
At the same time, Labuan MP echoed Syed Abu Hussin’s views, saying that he would only vacate his seat if instructed by the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
Suhaili said that the amendment yesterday only involved the party constitution and not the federal constitution.
“The party constitution cannot go beyond the federal constitution…so the final decision in the matter of announcing seat vacancies is still under the power of the speaker (Dewan Rakyat), not the party president,” he said. – March 3, 2024