KUALA LUMPUR – Titi Serong assemblyman Hasnul Zulkarnain Abdul Munaim has yet to receive an official letter from Bersatu informing him of his sacking over the part he played in the ousting of party deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu as Perak menteri besar.
Hasnul told The Vibes that, while he is aware of speculation on his removal after he voted against the confidence motion for Faizal in the state assembly on December 3, the sacking was not formalised nor was he informed.
The confidence motion was defeated by 48 votes to 10 with one absent, leading to Faizal’s resignation and the formation of a new state government led by Umno.
Hasnul said he only learnt of his dismissal today through the media, after Malaysiakini reported earlier that his sacking took effect on December 20.
“I have not received any letter since the (Perak MB) crisis. By right, I am still a member (of Bersatu).
“I was still carrying out my duties as a Bersatu member, because I assumed I was still in the party.”
He said if the claims of his sacking are true, he will accept the decision and will not file an appeal.
On December 12, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had said that, based on party constitution, any member not toeing the party line would have his or her membership automatically dropped.
He had said that if it was proven that Hasnul had voted against Faizal, the clause in the party constitution would come into effect.
Meanwhile, Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan said: “Yes, our secretary-general made a statement back then.”
“I’m not sure what the latest status of his (Hasnul) membership is,” he told The Vibes.
Hasnul, who won the Titi Serong seat in May 2018 as an Amanah candidate, quit the party in March 2019 following a political realignment that led to a new Perikatan Nasional state government being formed.
His defection from Pakatan Harapan came just four months after he became Amanah Youth chief. He later joined Bersatu in June 2019.
Hasnul said he did not regret leaving Amanah or voting against Faizal in the state assembly, claiming his decision to reject the then menteri besar was to ensure political stability in Perak.
“When we were about to vote, I received information that Faizal has lost confidence, so that the plan to have Umno’s Saarani Mohamad appointed as the new menteri besar can be expedited.
“My intention was to ensure the conflict in Perak could end immediately.”
On his next move, Hasnul said he will leave the door open for now and continue to serve as an independent assemblyman, and has no plans yet to join another party. – The Vibes, March 23, 2021
Additional reporting by Azril Annuar
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