‘Sacked MPs free to join any party’

 

PETALING JAYA: The opposition bloc remains intact despite the sacking of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin from Bersatu, with his allies likely to regroup under a new party while maintaining ties with PAS, say political analysts and legal experts.

A legal expert said that the group aligned to Hamzah are free to join any party or form a new one as this would not contravene the anti-­hopping legislation.

Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said Article 49(A) of the Federal Constitution showed that an MP does not lose his seat merely due to being expelled from his party.

“As it stands, Bersatu has admitted to expelling Hamzah and 16 others from the party.

“They remain members of the Dewan Rakyat, and if they choose to join another party, form a new one, or sit as Independents, they will not lose their seats,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Legal and constitutional expert Assoc Prof Dr Khairil Azmin Mokhtar also said a parliamentary seat does not become vacant if an MP is expelled from their party, if their party is dissolved.

“On this matter, we always refer to Article 49(A) to determine if there is any casual vacancy. If they are expelled from the party, it does not trigger a by-election,” he said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia political science expert Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said that the opposition still remains intact and the more plausible pathway is for the MPs who were sacked to remain “parked” under Perikatan Nasional as a temporary shelter while negotiating leverage.

“Creating a new party is possible but it is actually quite risky and costly, time-consuming and there is an uncertain grassroots traction,” he said.

He also dismissed the likelihood of Hamzah-aligned MPs defecting to Umno immediately, citing trust deficit and seat conflicts, unless they can consolidate without preconditions.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali said he expects that the group supporting Hamzah will continue to put pressure on Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“PAS, who is Bersatu’s biggest partner in Perikatan will also likely to pressure Muhyiddin,” he said.

He also predicted that PAS will likely work closely with Hamzah rather than Muhyiddin as he has more support from the MPs and grassroots.

“I think PAS will not really be bothered about Muhyiddin and Bersatu, and the Islamist party will start a new alliance with Hamzah to face the 16th General Election,” he said.

Several lawmakers expelled from Bersatu said Hamzah is believed to be considering joining or assuming control of another Malay-based party, without lea­ving Perikatan.

However, they will wait for the final decision from Hamzah after consulting with different parties.

“We stand behind Datuk Seri Hamzah. He is our leader now, and he will inform us when the time is right.

“Whatever decision is made will certainly be in the best interests of the country and for political stability,” said an MP from Perak, who refused to be named. - Star