PUTRAJAYA – Bersatu has handed over to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) documents on its proposed amendments to the party’s constitution, aimed at sacking defectors after a handful of them declared their support for the prime minister.
In a press conference, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the meeting with RoS director-general Datuk Mohd Zulfikar Ahmad went smoothly.
“We explained everything to (Zulfikar) and everything went well. I was told that we have followed all the stipulated rules and I asked (Zulfikar) to consider (the proposed amendments) as soon as possible,” Muhyiddin said.
He added that the party is hoping that the registrar will approve the proposal to pave the way for the amendments to be enforced.
“An (RoS) officer also said the technicalities (behind the proposed amendments) are in order and this is a party decision made during our extraordinary general meeting, which fulfilled the required quorum.”
Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, had earlier arrived at the Home Ministry’s complex, here today, alongside Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, party vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee and youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
The group held the press conference after spending about 20 minutes with the RoS, which is under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry, helmed by Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Previously, Saifuddin assured that there would not be any political interference in whether RoS decided to approve the suggested changes.
The amendment to article 10 of the party’s constitution seeks to automatically terminate the membership of elected representatives if they support any other party or policy not aligned with Bersatu’s position.
The proposed constitutional changes came after six Bersatu MPs pledged their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with all of the lawmakers citing the welfare of their constituents and the need for economic stability.
Muhyiddin had previously said that once the amendment was approved by the RoS, Bersatu would seek to vacate the six parliamentary seats currently held by MPs who remained in the party but had publicly supported Anwar and the unity government.
The MPs involved are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tg Karang).
The party’s Selat Klang assemblyman, Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, has also announced his backing of Anwar’s government, claiming that his move is a result of PN’s silence against the accusations thrown at the Malay rulers. – March 11, 2024