KUALA KUBU BAHARU – The two Bersatu lawmakers who gave speeches at Pakatan Harapan (PH) ceramah events here acted on their own accord, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Bersatu’s Selat Klang assemblyman, Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari and Tg Karang MP, Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi, have been campaigning for PH lately.
“Looking at (Rashid), he is proactive. I believe he offered to participate in the (ceramah) with PH, as well as (Zulkafperi).
“It is their right to campaign. It is up to them,” he told reporters after an event at Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara Pertak here today.
Fahmi, who is also PKR information chief, said no decisions have been made on accepting the six MPs and Rashid into the PH fold.
“We have not discussed this matter yet, and no decision has been made. Let us wait first. We want to confirm several matters first.”
Yesterday, Rashid defended his actions by saying no clause in Bersatu’s constitution restricts its members from giving speeches anywhere.
He added that Bersatu had not issued a notice for him to vacate his parliamentary seat, and even then, such power only lies with the state speaker.
At the same time, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the party will issue letters next week, after polling day here on May 11.
On April 28, Hamzah said the party would issue a notice to the seven elected representatives who pledged support to the unity government to vacate their seats.
Besides Rashid and Zulkafperi, they are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang MP), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar MP), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan MP), Zahari Kechik (Jeli MP), and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang MP). – May 9, 2024