KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has been instructed to execute follow-up measures after the party’s supreme council yesterday determined the “status” of its six MPs and one assemblyman who declared support for the unity government.
In a statement today, Hamzah said the Bersatu supreme council had convened for a meeting yesterday, during which the order was conveyed to him.
Previously, civil society groups had urged Bersatu to immediately notify the Dewan Rakyat speaker and state assembly speakers of its seven elected representatives who have ceased to be party members.
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.
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).
The six MPs had previously declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim but did not leave Bersatu, and likewise, Rashid declared support for Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
The group had their memberships terminated when they 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.
Previously, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the party will inform Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul during this month’s sitting of the lower House on six of its elected representatives whose memberships have been terminated.
Meanwhile, Hamzah said the party’s supreme council also determined that its president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Perikatan Nasional chairman, will continue to helm the party’s top post.
This is in line with the consensus reached during the party’s special general assembly in November last year.
Besides that, Hamzah said Bersatu will be holding its annual general assembly from November 30 to December 1.
The general assembly for its associate and women’s youth wing will take place on November 28, followed by its youth and women’s wing sessions the next day.
The party’s branches will hold their assemblies from July 20 to August 31, while their divisions will convene from October 12 to 26. – June 8, 2024