I’m not a postman, Johari tells Bersatu leaders

 

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul said his decision on the six seats followed meticulous deliberations. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul has stood firm with his decision not to vacate the seats of six MPs formerly of Bersatu who pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Johari told the Dewan Rakyat his decision followed meticulous deliberations and that he was “not a postman” who was just there to inform the Election Commission if a seat was deemed vacant by a political party.

“When I receive any (type of notice), I will always determine (the facts) and study everything before making a decision.

“Therefore, my decision remains, as I had informed Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran),” he said.

Kiandee, the Bersatu chief whip, had raised a point of order in the House to seek clarification from Johari on his decision on the six parliamentary seats.

“Article 49A of the Federal Constitution does not give you the authority to make a decision, but only to ensure the vacancy (of seats),” he said.

He added that Johari, in his letters to the Bersatu vice-president, had interpreted that an amendment to Bersatu’s constitution contravened the Federal Constitution.

The amendment allows the party to revoke the memberships of elected representatives if they went against the party’s stand.

Kiandee said it was not Johari’s job to make a ruling on the provisions of Bersatu’s constitution, but the Registrar of Societies.

Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) then warned the speaker that making the wrong decision could “ruin the country” further down the road.

He insisted that Johari should have emulated the Kelantan state assembly speaker Amar Abdullah, who declared the Nenggiri seat vacant.

“The Kelantan speaker made the right decision and urged the Nenggiri assemblyman (Azizi Abu Naim) to take the matter to court.

“You wanted to be the best Dewan Rakyat speaker but you created this problem here. You have to be non-partisan on this matter,” he said before walking out of the Dewan Rakyat.

Earlier, the six Bersatu MPs said they would continue serving their constituents as independents and would not join any party, but remain supportive of the unity government. - FMT