INTERVIEW | Five Bersatu MPs are unhappy with the party's leadership but are putting up with the situation, claimed a Bersatu lawmaker who backed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
According to Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, one of the five MPs is Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin.
The other four are Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah) and Ronald Kiandee (Beluran), he claimed.
Syed Abu Hussin (above) alleged that the five were unhappy with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin for purportedly ignoring the complications faced by the party's MPs.
"They (the five former Umno leaders in Bersatu) know what they need to do. They are unhappy with the way things are now.
"In fact, Larut (MP Hamzah) himself is uncomfortable, but is forced to grit his teeth (to put up with the situation)," Syed Abu Hussin told Malaysiakini.
It is worth noting that the five MPs won their seats under the Umno-BN ticket in the 14th general election but left for Bersatu soon afterwards.
They defended their seats in the 15th general election, but the formation of the Pakatan Harapan-BN coalition government saw them being thrust into the opposition side.
Malaysiakini is unable to independently verify Syed Abu Hussin's claim.
The claim by Syed Abu Hussin, who is also the chairperson of the National Action Council on Cost of Living's (NACCOL) Task Force (Food Cluster), comes following his earlier remark that more Bersatu MPs would voice their support for Anwar.
Besides Syed Abu Hussin, five other Bersatu MPs have backed Anwar, namely Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), and Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).
It was also previously reported that Hamzah's relationship with Muhyiddin had turned cold, but the former denied it.
Syed Abu Hussin said the five Bersatu MPs who are sticking with the party despite their alleged unhappiness should decide on their next course of action soon, for the sake of the country's political stability.
"Their time and energy could be better spent to contribute to the coalition government."
Malaysiakini has contacted Hamzah and the four other MPs mentioned above for comment and is awaiting a response.
Don't be spooked by amendment
Syed Abu Hussin said Bersatu MPs who back Anwar without quitting the party need not be spooked by the party's recent amendment to its constitution aimed at preventing future “defections” of its elected representatives.
In announcing the decision, Muhyiddin said the party will seek to vacate the six parliamentary seats held by the lawmakers who backed Anwar.
The amendment, Syed Abu Hussin said, will take time to be recognised and enforced.
In the meantime, he said he would not entertain any letters from Bersatu asking to pledge whether he would continue backing Anwar's government or abide by Bersatu's ruling on the matter.
"If they send any letters asking to make my stance clear, I will not entertain.
"I have clearly said that I support (Anwar) and there's no need to elaborate further. It is up to the party to decide on the next course of action," he added.
Syed Abu Hussin reiterated that the six Bersatu MPs who backed Anwar are willing to challenge Bersatu's decision in court.
"When Bersatu brings the matter to court, the six of us will appoint lawyers to face the challenge.
"When the court has decided on the matter, and they (Bersatu) are still trying to get rid of us, the matter can be brought before the Dewan Rakyat.
"Ultimately, our position as MPs will be decided by Parliament," he said.
He claimed that the process of deciding on their positions could drag up to three years or more.
According to the law, by-elections for any seats in the 15th Parliament no longer need to be held after Dec 19, 2025, and should be left vacant until Parliament is dissolved to make way for the 16th general election.
Article 54(1) of the Federal Constitution stipulates that an unexpected vacancy of a parliamentary seat cannot be filled if it occurs within two years from the deadline of the parliamentary dissolution for the next general election.
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