KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu will take action against its seven elected representatives who declared support for the government after the Aidilfitri celebrations, said party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Pointing to how the Registrar of Societies had earlier this week approved amendments to the party’s constitution to allow it to take action against its turncoat lawmakers, he said the party would push for the seven seats to be vacated.
An apparently jovial Muhyiddin also said the six MPs and one assemblyman who announced their backing of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership could rest easy during the fasting month and enjoy their Hari Raya.
“They (Bersatu defectors) can celebrate Raya first, (but) after that we’ll take the necessary action based on our amended constitution,” Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan Nasional chairman, said in a video message posted on his Facebook page today.
“At this point, they can interpret (the amendments) however they want. Maybe they’re surprised or not expecting the amendments to have an effect on them, but just wait for the right time so that we can execute the amendments.”
He also said the party had considered all angles before it tabled the amendments to its constitution while a legal team had looked into the matter to ensure that every follow-up action was based on the party’s rules, the Federal Constitution and the law on party hopping.
“It’s hoped that the seats involved… will be declared vacant because the constitution states that when someone takes such steps (against the party’s decision), membership in the party will cease.”
On April 2, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal claimed the approved amendments would allow the party to vacate the seats held by its MPs who had pledged support for the government, paving the way for by-elections.
However, the amendments came into effect on April 1, while the seven elected representatives had declared their backing of Anwar’s government prior to this.
In March, Bersatu sought to amend Article 10 of its constitution to automatically terminate the membership of elected representatives if they support any other party or policy not aligned with Bersatu’s position.
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, also announced his backing for Anwar’s government, claiming that his move was a result of Perikatan Nasional’s silence amid accusations thrown at the Malay rulers. – April 5, 2024