Membership of 7 Bersatu turncoats no longer valid, claims Razali

The membership of the seven Bersatu elected representatives who have pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is no longer valid, the party’s information chief claimed.

According to Razali Idris, the seven individuals should vacate their respective seats without waiting for their letters of sacking.

Razali (above) claimed that the seven turncoat representatives’ memberships ceased after the Registrar of Societies (ROS) approved Bersatu’s proposed amendments to the party’s constitution.

“The party will only send a notification letter, along with a notice of approval of the party’s constitutional amendment as approved by the ROS.

“The six MPs and one assemblyperson should not wait for an official letter from Bersatu. If you are gentlemen, resign and vacate your seats,” Berita Harian quoted Razali saying today.

The Bersatu constitutional amendment was prompted by the defections of MPs Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Iskandar Dzulkarnanin Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

In early March, Selat Klang assemblyperson Abdul Rashid Asari voiced support for Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, citing the well-being of his constituents.

The amendment to Article 10 of Bersatu’s constitution stipulates that any elected representative who defected from the party would automatically cease to be a member of the party.

In doing so, the defectors will also trigger the anti-hopping law per Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, and their seats will be vacated.

Triggering the provision

In a press conference last month, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin explained how the party planned to trigger the seats to be vacated.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin

According to him, upon receiving the green light from the ROS, party secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin will send an official letter to each of the six MPs (then) asking them to state their position.

“Hamzah will write to them asking if they indeed support PMX (Anwar). If they say yes, then they will trigger (the constitutional provision and anti-hopping law), and thus, would have to vacate their seats.

“Then we will inform the Election Commission,” he said.

Elaborating, Razali, also a Bersatu supreme council member, said the seven representatives should vacate their seats to allow by-elections to be held.

“Don’t make excuses that you are waiting for notice from Bersatu to make a decision.”