PUTRAJAYA – The Home Ministry has yet to receive any updates from the Registrar of Societies (RoS) regarding Bersatu’s submission of an application to amend its party constitution, said minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
“I have not received anything yet; maybe Bersatu has sent (the proposal), but I have not received any update from the RoS,” he said during a press conference.
He has also stressed that it is a big mistake if the opposition claims there is political interference in any decision made by the RoS.
“That is the problem because they (the opposition) have practised it (political interference) before. So they are thinking that I (as home minister) would do what they have done before. That is a big mistake,” he said.
Earlier, Bersatu information chief Datuk Razali Idris said the party intended to submit the proposed amendment to its constitution to the RoS soon for approval, expressing that the RoS would not pose any difficulties to the party.
Recently, Bersatu approved an amendment to article 10 of the party’s constitution during a special general assembly.
This amendment stipulates that the membership of any elected representative will be automatically terminated if they express support for any party contrary to the party’s instructions or official stance.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said once the amendment was approved, the party would seek to vacate the six parliamentary seats currently held by MPs who remain in the party but have publicly supported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the unity government.
He said that should they persist in backing Anwar, in accordance with Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, the anti-hopping law would take effect, leading to the vacancy of the parliamentary seats. – March 8, 2024