Bersatu 6 confident seats won’t be vacated

KUALA LUMPUR: The six MPs who have ceased to be members of Bersatu expressed confidence today that their seats would not be declared vacant by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul.

Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman maintained that they had not resigned from Bersatu but were sacked by the party, meaning that they had not breached the anti-hopping law.

“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.

“We are currently independent MPs that support the government (after ceasing to be Bersatu members). I hope there will be no more speculation. Let’s wait for the Speaker to announce his decision,” Suhaili said in a press conference at the Parliament building here.

He was joined by the other five: Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang) and Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar).

Under Article 49(A) of the Federal Constitution, also known as the anti-hopping law, MPs cease to be members of the Dewan Rakyat and their seats become vacant if they, having been elected as members of a political party, resign or cease to be members of that party.

However, MPs get to keep their seats if they are sacked by their party.

Last month, Johari confirmed receiving Bersatu chief whip Ronald Kiandee’s notice that the six MPs had ceased to be party members. Calling for patience, he said he had “up to 21 days” to decide.

Bersatu maintains that Johari has no choice but to declare the six seats vacant, as a precedent had been set by the Kelantan assembly speaker with Azizi’s Nenggiri state seat.