Wan Saiful hints at 13 Bersatu MPs joining Hamzah’s new party

 The Tasek Gelugor MP suggests they may do so after Parliament is dissolved since they will no longer be bound by the anti-hopping law.

Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan has called on Hamzah Zainudin’s supporters to be patient, saying an official announcement will be made in due course.

PETALING JAYA:

 Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan has hinted that 13 Bersatu MPs are likely to join opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin’s new party after Parliament dissolves, since they will no longer be bound by the anti-hopping law.

The former Bersatu Supreme Council member said negotiations with Parti Keluarga Malaysia on Hamzah’s takeover were in the final stages, with only technical matters left to be sorted out.

Wan Saiful appealed to Hamzah’s supporters to be patient, saying an official announcement will be made in due course.

“We have not yet determined the next step to be taken by MPs and assemblymen (including those who are still with Bersatu). This needs some deeper study because it involves the anti-hopping law.

“But it’s fine if MPs and assemblymen don’t join the party now, because they can wait until Parliament dissolves,” he told FMT.

The one-term MP added that the party would have 19 MPs and several assemblymen in its fold, including Hamzah. “What’s important is that our supporters and machinery join the party first to make the necessary preparations.”

Wan Saiful said the decision on whether Parti Keluarga Malaysia joins Perikatan Nasional would rest with the party’s new leadership, noting that the coalition could also reject its application.

“We’ll get to that later,” he added.

Yesterday, Hamzah confirmed holding discussions on the potential takeover of Parti Keluarga Malaysia. The party’s founder, Khairi Jaya, said that the takeover was “90% confirmed”.

Hamzah was sacked from Bersatu at the height of a bitter leadership tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin. Five other MPs have also been sacked from Bersatu since October, all aligned to Hamzah.

They are Wan Saiful, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang), Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), Fathul Huzir Ayob (Gerik) and Azahari Hasan (Padang Rengas).

Thirteen MPs still with Bersatu are also in Hamzah’s corner, including the party’s vice-president Ronald Kiandee, Wanita chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, and Supreme Council members Rosol Wahid and Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz.

Analysts previously pointed out that the anti-hopping law constrained the 13 Bersatu MPs from joining Hamzah’s proposed new outfit.

Article 49A of the constitution – commonly referred to as the anti-hopping law – states that any MP who resigns or ceases to be member of a party, or having been elected as a member of one party, joins another, automatically loses their seat.

However, no vacancy arises if the member is expelled by the party. - FMT