KUALA KUBU BAHARU – There are no clauses in Bersatu’s constitution prohibiting its members from giving speeches anywhere, said Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari after speaking at a Pakatan Harapan (PH) ceramah here last night.
The former Selangor Bersatu chief said he was not worried about giving a speech in which he expressed support for PH and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari’s administration, as no party provisions prevented him from doing so.
“I have checked Bersatu’s constitution. No clauses or provisions that say action will be taken against us if we make speeches anywhere,” he told reporters after his speech.
“They (Bersatu) can kick me out if I support other parties. That, they can do. But no provisions say I cannot hold speeches anywhere – whether in Bersatu or PH.”
He reiterated that he decided to support PH because of Amirudin’s administration in Selangor and allegedly being sidelined by Bersatu even after years of contributing to the party.
During his speech, Rashid also questioned how Perikatan Nasional candidate Khairul Azhari Saut obtained a master’s certificate, as he claimed Khairul said he only had a diploma certificate.
Khairul was under the spotlight over the legitimacy of his academic qualifications, during which he initially chose not to comment when questioned by reporters.
Later, he said criticism of his educational background was “psychological tactics at play”.
According to his resume shared after his candidacy was announced, Khairul earned an executive diploma in management from Universiti Malaya in 2019.
He received his executive master’s certificate in business management from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) after completing the course in 2021.
Following the debacle, he posted his UMPSA certificate on Facebook, which was validated by the university’s advanced chief executive.
Meanwhile, Rashid said he has yet to get any notice from Bersatu to vacate his state seat, following his decision to pledge support for the government.
“It is not retrospective… which is why they have not sent any letter or notice. (It) must also undergo processes with Bersatu’s disciplinary board.
“If they find me guilty and kick me out, it is only with my membership, not my role as an assemblyman. The power lies with the speaker.”
In a separate ceramah event here last night, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the party will issue letters next week, after polling day here.
The letters will be sent out after the supreme council discusses it during a meeting next week.
“We will terminate (Labuan MP) Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman’s membership. By right, Selat Kelang (Rashid) and Tanjong Karang (Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi) should have their memberships automatically revoked as they spoke at PH ceramah events.”
Hamzah also claimed those reps must vacate their seats and the party is ready to take them to court.
On April 28, Hamzah said the party would issue a notice to the seven elected representatives who pledged support to the unity government to vacate their seats.
Besides Rashid, they are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang MP), Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tg Karang MP), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar MP), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan MP), Zahari Kechik (Jeli MP), and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang MP). – May 9, 2024