Bersatu leader calls for street protests over MPs’ seats

 

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said Pakatan Harapan, specifically PKR, was afraid the momentum against the government would snowball.

PETALING JAYA: A Bersatu leader has called for street protests against the decision to not vacate the seats of six MPs, which he said came about because Pakatan Harapan feared having to face by-elections.

Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the decision of the Dewan Rakyat speaker was a political one. He said Pakatan Harapan, specifically PKR, was afraid that it would lose the six by-elections and the momentum against the government would snowball.

“So they will do anything to prevent a by-election so that they can remain in power,” he alleged in a Facebook video. While the government “could do anything it wanted”, they should not take the people for granted and attempt to hoodwink them.

Wan Fayhsal urged the public “to rise” and oppose these “fraudsters” with protests, whether in the Dewan Rakyat or in the streets. “We need to protest to save democracy. For if we do not do so, democracy and the country would be in ruins,” he said.

On Wednesday, Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul had decided against vacating the seats held by the six opposition MPs who had declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In an email to Bersatu’s chief whip, Ronald Kiandee, Johari cited the need to preserve “stability in Parliament” in justifying his decision.

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

Last month, Bersatu declared that the six had ceased to be members of the party after failing to respond to a notice to confirm their loyalty. - FMT