Four accused Bersatu reps stand with Azmin in show of support

 

Four Bersatu assemblypersons are standing behind Selangor opposition leader Azmin Ali in a show of allegiance with the Perikatan Nasional coalition.

Azmin (above), the Selangor PN chief, also dismissed the rumour propagated by the Pakatan Harapan organ Harapan Daily, that the four assemblypersons were about to shift their support towards Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari’s administration.

During a press conference that was streamed on Selangor PAS’ Facebook page, Azmin theatrically called out these assemblypersons’ by their constituencies, which was then followed by each coming forward to stand behind him.

“Those who were named were Jeram (Harrison Hassan), Sungai Kandis (Wan Dzahanurin Ahmad), Batang Kali (Muhammad Muhaimin Harith Abdullah Sani, Dengkil (Jamil Salleh). They are all here.

“Don’t pay attention to all this. I will tell the truth, the people are tired,” he told reporters at the Selangor assembly.

Azmin, whose defection as PKR deputy president was one of the key triggers of the Sheraton Move in February 2020, also slammed the decision made by Selat Klang assemblyperson Abdul Rashid Asari to support Amirudin’s administration.

He labelled it as treacherous and a betrayal of the mandate that was given by the voters in the constituency.

“However, what is the next course of action? We have provisions in the law, the party’s constitution - we must certainly go through this process to be fair to all parties involved,” he added.

Voluntary decision

Before this, another Bersatu assemblyperson Dr Afif Bahardin also denied the rumour that four more of the party’s assemblypersons will voice their support for Amirudin’s administration.

In announcing his decision earlier, Rashid cited multiple reasons behind his pledge to support the menteri besar’s leadership in Selangor.

Selat Klang assemblyperson Abdul Rashid Asari

“This move was a voluntary decision on my part, without any coercion, after carefully considering the speech by the Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who commended the state government’s trajectory in driving progress for the state and its people,” he stated.

Rashid also pointed to PN’s silence, particularly at the state level, regarding accusations levelled against Malay rulers, which he deemed contrary to the principles upheld by Malay-Muslims.

The former Selangor Bersatu chief, who served from September 2020 until January this year before being replaced by Azmin, claimed his decision was also motivated by a desire to ensure the well-being of his constituents, who would benefit from a stable and robust state government.

With this declaration, Rashid joins the growing list of Bersatu representatives who have recently voiced support for the incumbent government.

Previously, six MPs from the party had backed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim while remaining in Bersatu’s fold.

In a bid to prevent future “defections” of its elected representatives, Bersatu introduced an amendment to its party constitution last week.

The Selangor assembly comprises 56 seats, with the PN opposition coalition of PAS and Bersatu holding 22 of those seats. - Mkini