KUALA LUMPUR – It is criminal and illegal for Bersatu information chief Datuk Razali Idris to issue threats against the party’s six “turncoat” MPs, said former judicial commissioner Datuk Sabirin Ja’afar.
Sabirin, who ran for Masjid Tanah on a PKR ticket in 2018, also accused Razali of attempting to restrain the legal powers of the six Bersatu MPs, who had publicly announced their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Such actions violate Sections 124, 124B and 124C of the Penal Code because the statements issued are an attempt to force the six MPs to refrain from exercising their legitimate powers as representatives of the people in any way.
“Police should conduct an investigation into these violations should a report be made,” he said in a press conference here today.
“Being MP is a huge responsibility and the role is of massive importance in a democratically (elected) Parliament.”
Section 124 of the Penal Code refers to assaulting an MP with the intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power while Sections 124B and 124C state that an offender could face a jail term up to 15 or 20 years.
“On April 3, the information chief (Razali) said letters would be sent to six Bersatu MPs by the secretary-general (Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin), and if they still support Anwar, their membership will be automatically revoked.
“On April 5, (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) threatened to take action against the six Bersatu MPs after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.”
Sabirin added that such threats issued by Razali and Bersatu president Muhyiddin illustrated malicious behaviour towards the six MPs.
In early April, Hamzah hinted at follow-up measures after the Registrar of Societies (RoS) approved amendments to the party’s constitution to take action against representatives who defected.
The amendments came into effect on April 1, while the six MPs had declared their backing of Anwar’s leadership 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.
Muhyiddin had said 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, 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 17, 2024