UMNO is not intimidated by Perikatan Nasional (PN) and is prepared to run against Bersatu if by-elections are held in the six parliamentary seats held by them (Bersatu).
“We are not afraid of losing. All six seats were originally Umno seats, and even if they are declared vacant, Umno will contest,” he said after officiating an Umno division meeting in Kuala Terengganu today.
“In politics, you can’t afford to be afraid, and the announcement by the Speaker of the House, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, regarding the status of the six Members of Parliament who were expelled from Bersatu, was done according to Article 49 of the Federal Constitution," Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said it was up to the party if they wanted to challenge the decision and even bring the matter up to court.
Earlier, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin claimed that the government was afraid to declare the six parliament and one state assembly seat vacant as it wants to avoid chalking up more losses at the ballot box.
He said the unity government was worried that the Sungai Bakap by-election (where PN won) may repeat itself.
"With all the power they possess, it is strange they suffered such a defeat.
“Although they hold power, they are weak, very weak," he said.
Muhyiddin said that is why the government is afraid to declare the vacancies of the seats held by former Bersatu members who have defected.
The six MPS are Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang) and Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjung Karang).
The state assemblyman is Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari (Selat Klang). - July 13, 2024
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