Speaker confirms Pandan, Setiawangsa seats vacated

 Johari Abdul says it is up to the EC to decide whether to call for by-elections since Parliament automatically dissolves in less than two years.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul said he has informed the Election Commission about the two vacancies. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul has confirmed that the Pandan and Setiawangsa parliamentary seats have been vacated following the resignations by Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad as MPs on Monday.

Johari said he has informed the Election Commission (EC) about the two vacancies.

“Any decision on holding by-elections for the two parliamentary seats is subject to the EC’s discretion and decision,” he said in a statement today.

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi resigned as MPs before quitting PKR, and have since taken over Parti Bersama Malaysia.

By-elections are not a must since Parliament automatically dissolves in less than two years.

However, the Dewan Rakyat speaker may request that the EC hold the by-elections if he writes in to inform the commission that the ruling party’s majority in the house is affected by the vacancies. - FMT