PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has expressed his disappointment over the Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul’s decision not to vacate the seats of six former Bersatu MPs.
In a brief post on social media, the Kubang Kerian MP wondered what the purpose of having an anti-hopping law was, if it was not enforced.
“The speaker made a very disappointing decision regarding six MPs who have ceased to be members of their political party.
“This decision contradicts the provision of Article 49(A)(3) of the Federal Constitution, which states that the seat of a member of the Dewan Rakyat shall become vacant if they are no longer a member of the political party after they are elected in Parliament as a member of that political party.
“The question now is, what is the point of having an anti-party hopping law if it is not enforced?” he asked.
Across the divide, PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim went further saying that Johari failed to respect legal fundamentals and ran contrary to the aspirations of Malaysians to stop party hopping through amendments made to the Federal Constitution.
“It is very unfortunate and sad because the speaker’s decision is not supported by strong arguments.
“I see the speaker making decisions based on partisan political interests that fail to respect legal fundamentals and the supremacy of the Federal Constitution,” he told Free Malaysia Today.
Defiant MPs
Earlier, Umno veteran Shahrir Samad warned that the decision could backfire on the government.
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).
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin earlier today confirmed that Johari ruled the six MPs will get to keep their seats, and gave a “flimsy excuse” that he was reluctant to vacate the Labuan seat as Suhaili had initiated a court case against Bersatu.
As for the other five MPs, in Johari’s letter sighted by Malaysiakini, the speaker argued that the rule Bersatu used to forfeit their memberships had violated their constitutional rights and the Parliament rule that guaranteed their freedom to speak, debate, and vote. - Mkini
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