KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu must immediately notify the Dewan Rakyat Speaker of the six MPs who have ceased to be party members and not wait until Parliament reconvenes on June 24, civil society groups say.
Failure to provide immediate notification will delay the by-elections that are required when elected representatives vacate their seats, as provided under the anti-hopping law, said the Seed Community for a Professional Parliament (SCCP).
“The notifications should be done professionally and not be made a political show. Delay in notifying the Dewan Rakyat Speaker is obstructing the due process and the Election Commission’s (EC) preparation for the necessary by-elections.
“As all the MPs and Selangor assemblyman were ‘elected as members of PN’ by way of their Bersatu membership, the relinquishment of (their memberships) causes their legislative seats to be vacated by the force of Article 49A(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution and the corresponding provisions in the Selangor state constitution,” the network of NGOs and individuals said.
The MPs are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tg Karang), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), and Zahari Kechik (Jeli), as well as Selangor assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari (Selat Klang).
They had their memberships terminated when they did defied a special order to affirm their loyalty to Bersatu by May 31. Their terminations are in line with Bersatu’s amended constitution to axe elected representatives who defy the party.
The six MPs had previously declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim but did not leave Bersatu, and likewise, Abdul Rashid declared support for Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Last week, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the party will inform Johari during this month’s sitting of the lower House on six of its elected representatives whose memberships have been terminated.
SCCP said after Bersatu’s MPs and one assemblyman had failed to obey the party’s instruction, all seven ceased to be party members.
“This is the automatic consequence of their act, like what happens in most parties if one fails to pay membership dues.
“The membership relinquishment of the seven Bersatu representatives should not be misrepresented as expulsion or sacking, which has different constitutional consequences,” it added.
This is because elected representatives who are sacked by their party are exempted from having to vacate their seats under the anti-hopping law.
SCCP comprises, among others, Bersih, Bait al-Amanah, Engage, Undi18, Bait al-Amanah, Projek Sama, the Institute for Political Reform and Democracy (Reform) and the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas). – June 6, 2024