Bersatu MP says he’d rather quit than back Anwar

 

Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob said opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin, who is Bersatu secretary-general, persuaded him to stay. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Fathul Huzir Ayob of Bersatu, who is MP for Gerik, said he was more willing to vacate his seat than pledge support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Fathul said in an online interview that he was approached towards the end of October with an offer to switch support to the prime minister. He did not identify who had approached him.

At that time, he was “feeling down” as he had insufficient funds for his constituency, he said in an interview with PAS TV.

Fathul, a first term MP, admitted that he was at a loss as to what to do in that situation, adding that as parliamentarian the main task was to help enact laws as well as be part of a check and balance on the government.

He then met with the opposition leader, he said, referring to Hamzah Zainudin, who is Bersatu secretary-general. “I told him that I was struggling financially and I was prepared to resign as the MP and let the constituents vote for a new representative who was capable,” he said.

However, following a pep talk from Hamzah, he decided to stay on.

Fathul said he had used up his salary and allowances to help his constituents, adding that he spent about RM15,000 every month to pay his workers at his service centre. “It isn’t enough.”

In recent months, six Bersatu MPs have announced support for Anwar and the unity government, while remaining members of Bersatu. They said their switch of support was to obtain development funds for the sake of their constituents.

Opposition MPs have not been granted constituency funds, while government MPs receive an annual allocation of RM1.3 million through the district office and state development office.

Following the switch by the six MPs, Bersatu recently amended its constitution to automatically strip an MP or assemblyman of their party membership if support is shown to any other party or policy not aligned with Bersatu’s position.

The six are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang). - FMT