KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) has challenged the government to vacate the six parliamentary seats and one Selangor state seat in which its Bersatu people’s representatives have announced support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the mandate should be returned to the people, and the people can decide who would be more qualified for the seats during by-elections.
While claiming not to be arrogant, he voiced confidence that PN would secure a larger majority if by-elections were held for these seats.
“I challenge that these six parliamentary seats and one state seat to be vacated now, return the mandate to the people. Let the people decide.
“I am not talking big, but I am confident that PN could secure bigger wins if by-elections take place,” he said when launching a PN convention for elected representatives here today.
The convention was a closed-door event, and media coverage was only allowed during the launching ceremony.
Last week, Bersatu passed an amendment to Article 10 of the party constitution during its special general meeting to state that MPs and assemblymen will have their membership automatically terminated if they support any other party or policy not aligned with Bersatu’s position.
The amendment, which is subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies, came after six Bersatu MPs pledged their support for Anwar.
Muhyiddin said Bersatu sent letters to the six Bersatu MPs who had expressed their support for Anwar to confirm if they would still stand by their decision and continue supporting Anwar.
They are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tg Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
Meanwhile, Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari also declared support for the leadership of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Despite that, Rashid said he would remain a Bersatu member. – March 9, 2024