BN MPs have to pay RM100m if they defect - Asyraf

KEMAMAN POLLS | Umno MPs who defect could lose their seat or face a claim of RM100 million, said party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Speaking at a ceramah in Kemaman, Terengganu last night, Asyraf said this when reassuring voters that Umno MPs were unlikely to defect to Perikatan Nasional.

He explained that each Umno MP had already signed a contract with the party stipulating that they must relinquish their party membership if they go against the party's decision.

This, he said, would trigger Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, causing defectors to lose their seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

Secondly, Asyraf (above) said Umno MPs will have to pay RM100 million in compensation to the party.

“Is this clause valid? The High Court has ruled in the case of (former MP) Zuraidah (Kamaruddin) where she was ordered to pay RM10 million to PKR.

“The courts said that the agreement was valid, thus this will apply to BN MPs as well. With these two (contractual stipulations), I am confident no BN MP will defect,” he added.

This was in response to PN’s main campaign message for the Kemaman by-election that a win for the opposition was another step towards ousting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration.

Pipe dream

Asyraf said the opposition's campaign to oust Anwar was a pipe dream because there are 153 backbenchers.

“This is a fantasy. Every time (PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang) talks about (defections), someone (from PN) will back Anwar.

“How is PN going to form the government? They need 112. Currently, they have 69. How can they find more?” asked Asyraf.

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The by-election is a straight fight between Terengganu PAS chief Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and BN’s Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.

Based on the Aug 12 state election results, PN is the heavy favourite to retain the seat.