Suing Umno defectors a futile exercise - Nazri

The move to sue Umno MPs who have left the party is a futile exercise, said Mohamed Nazri Aziz.

This is because, similar action has been taken before, and the outcome was not in favour of Umno, said the Padang Rengas MP.

"It's futile. The case will definitely be dismissed by the court, as has happened before.

"I, as a (former) lawyer, do not see how the party can sue," the former Umno supreme council member was quoted saying by Sinar Harian.

According to Nazri, although Umno members are made to take a pledge of loyalty to the party, it is not enforceable in the court of law.

No legal action can be taken against Umno MPs who have left the party due to their rights of association, he said.

"This is a matter of basic rights as guaranteed by the constitution, namely the right of association. Although there was a pledge (of loyalty), it cannot be enforced.

"That is why, we see the United Kingdom, US, Canada, Australia, and other countries don't take any form of legal action against politicians who quit their respective parties," said Nazri.

This is in response to the remark by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during his opening speech at the party general assembly last weekend, that Umno has sent summonses to Umno lawmakers who quit the party, demanding them to vacate their seats and pay the party back for "costs."

"They didn't win on their names, but they won because of Umno and BN. They no longer have the moral ground to be elected representatives," Zahid had said. 

Five Umno MPs have quit since the last general election, namely Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Bagan Serai MP Noor Azmi Ghazali, Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed and Kimanis MP Anifah Aman. - Mkini