Six ex-Bersatu MPs keep their seats

 

The six former Bersatu lawmakers whose status as MPs were in question will get to keep their seats.

Party president Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul made the decision yesterday.

The six MPs previously declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in defiance of the party's stance as the opposition.

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

At a press conference in the Parliament building today, Muhyiddin said in the case of Suhaili, Johari had given a "flimsy excuse" that he was reluctant to vacate the seat as the Labuan MP had initiated a court case against Bersatu.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin

The Bersatu president did not divulge why Johari had rejected the bid to vacate the seats of the other five lawmakers.

However, Malaysiakini has sighted Johari's letter, in which the speaker argued that the rule Bersatu used to forfeit the memberships of the five MPs had violated their constitutional rights and the Parliament rule that guaranteed their freedom to speak, debate, and vote.

That rule stipulates that Bersatu members who go against their party are considered to have forfeited their membership.

In the case of the six former Bersatu lawmakers, they had reportedly refused to affirm their loyalty to the party after the rules were updated.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul

Anti-hopping law

In theory, this should have triggered the anti-hopping law which punishes MPs who leave their parties or join another.

DAP and Umno have similar party rules meant to circumvent a clause in the anti-hopping law that protects MPs who are sacked from their parties instead of leaving.

In his letter, Johari argued that the anti-hopping provisions in the Federal Constitution are meant to ensure political stability.

Hence, after considering all evidence and testimony, the speaker ruled that there was no need for the Bersatu MPs to vacate their seats and that they are still considered opposition lawmakers.

Muhyiddin said Bersatu will engage with legal experts to take further action to challenge the speaker's decision.