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SHAH ALAM: Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has brushed off rumours that seven MPs from the coalition would vacate their seats to make way for by-elections following the unity alliance’s poor performance in the recent state elections.

Zahid said any MPs from BN who wished to vacate their posts should wait for the end of Parliament’s term since they were fielded as candidates in the last general election with a mandate from BN.

“The mandate and watikah (appointment letter of candidates) was given to them to represent the party, not for themselves as individuals. If they want to take such actions for their personal interests, it would be better for them to wait till the end of the term,” he told reporters here.

The claim about the seven resignations was made recently by Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Adam in a video clip posted online. He said four MPs are from Johor, and one each from Pahang, Sabah and a northern state.

On the Pelangai by-election in Pahang due to take place soon, Zahid said BN would decide on the candidate once it receives the state leadership’s recommendations.

Polling day for the Pelangai by-election will be set by the Election Commission on Thursday. The vacancy in the seat was caused by the death of assemblyman Johari Harun in a plane crash near Bandar Elmina, Selangor on Thursday.