Bersatu to take action against 7 turncoat reps after Raya

 

Bersatu will take action against its seven elected representatives who have pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after Aidilfitri.

This is despite these representatives claiming that the newly approved amendment to Bersatu’s constitution is not retrospective.

“It’s the fasting month, it’s okay, they can celebrate first. After that, we will take appropriate measures according to the constitutional amendment,” said Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin in a statement posted on Facebook today.

“The seats involved, which are six parliamentary seats and one state assembly seat, will be vacant because the constitution states that when someone takes such a step (against the party’s decision), membership in the party will cease.”

He was responding to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) approval of Bersatu’s proposed amendments to the party’s constitution.

The amendment to Article 10 of Bersatu’s constitution stipulates matters of resignation and dismissal of party members.

Under the approved amendment, any Bersatu elected representative who defected from the party would automatically cease to be a member of the party.

In doing so, the defectors will also trigger the anti-hopping law per Article 49A of the Federal Constitution and their seats will be vacated.

However, Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman has claimed that this will not impact their positions as the new constitution only takes effect on April 1 and it is not retrospective.

Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said that Bersatu’s legal team is scrutinising the matter.

This is to ensure that the party’s actions are in line with its constitution, the Federal Constitution, and the anti-hopping law, he said.

In February, two of the six Bersatu MPs who backed Anwar said they were willing to vacate their seats if the court found their act to be against the law.

The Bersatu constitutional amendment was prompted by the defections of Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan). - Mkini