PETALING JAYA: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul’s office has been notified about six Bersatu MPs ceasing to be party members, says its chief whip, Ronald Kiandee.
In a statement, Kiandee said the notice was submitted and received by the Speaker’s office today.
He also said Johari now has no choice but to declare the six seats as vacant and inform the Election Commission (EC) on the need for by-elections, as a precedent had been set by the Kelantan assembly speaker yesterday with the Nenggiri state seat.
“In line with paragraph three of Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, the Speaker needs to ensure that the unexpected vacancies have occurred within 21 days of receiving the notice.
“The confirmation of these unexpected vacancies must be respected, especially since Section 18C of the Societies Act states that the decision of a political party on any matter relating to its affairs shall be ‘final and conclusive’.
“I am confident that Johari wants to ensure the legislature is free from partisan political influence by respecting the supremacy of the constitution and upholding the rule of law,” the Bersatu vice-president said in a statement.
FMT has reached out to Johari for comment.
Kiandee was referring to the six Bersatu MPs who have declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
They are Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), 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).
Yesterday, Kelantan assembly speaker Amar Abdullah declared the Nenggiri state seat held by Azizi vacant after being notified by Bersatu that he had ceased to be a party member.
