PETALING JAYA: The Nenggiri state seat held by Bersatu’s Azizi Abu Naim has been declared vacant by Kelantan state assembly speaker Amar Abdullah.
According to Berita Harian, Amar, who is also a PAS vice-president, announced this at a press conference in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, today.
Azizi, who is also the Gua Musang MP, declared his support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last year. However, he also said he would continue to support the PAS-led Kelantan government.
Amar said the decision to vacate Azizi’s seat followed a notice from Bersatu that his party membership had been terminated.
“With this, I announce the unexpected vacancy of the Nenggiri seat represented by Azizi. The seat needs to be filled within 60 days of the Election Commission’s acknowledgement of the vacancy notice,” he said.
Azizi is among six Bersatu MPs who pledged support for Anwar and the unity government. The others are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
Selat Klang assemblyman Abdul Rashid Asari had also declared support for the Selangor unity government led by menteri besar Amirudin Shari.
Last week, Azizi confirmed receiving a notice from Bersatu indicating its intention to revoke his membership, but refused to vacate his seat.
Bersatu argues that Azizi’s membership was terminated of his own accord when he went against party directives, and that he must resign from his elected posts as he had ceased to be a party member.
According to the recently amended party constitution, any Bersatu member who is an elected representative who does not comply with orders from the party’s Supreme Council will have their membership terminated immediately.
Meanwhile, Azizi said he was not surprised by Amar’s decision and that he planned to take the Kelantan speaker’s decision to court.
“I will discuss the matter with my lawyer tomorrow,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.
