Former Bersatu MPs confident seats won’t be declared vacant

THE six MPs who have ceased to be Bersatu members said they were confident their seats would not be declared vacant by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

Speaking on behalf of the six, Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman said after discussions with their lawyers, they believed their parliamentary seats would not be vacated as Bersatu only passed amendments to its constitution on April 1.

He said the changes were only made after the six MPs strayed from party lines and declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“We are still legitimate MPs and have never left the party that we joined. We were sacked, and because of that, we are confident that we remain MPs,” he told a press conference in parliament today.

Also present were Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang) and Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang).

“We can be considered independent MPs backing the government. We have not received any offers to join other parties.

“We are familiar with the anti-hopping law and this means that if we want to join a party, it has to be after the term of this government. Then, we can decide where to go,” he said.

Aside from the six MPs, Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari had on March 6 declared support for the leadership of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. – July 3, 2024