All Bersatu reps ordered to state loyalty to party
Published on: Friday, May 17, 2024
By:
FMT, Ameer Fakhri
Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin showing a copy of the letter issued to the party’s elected representatives at a press conference today.
Kuala Lumpur: Bersatu has issued notices to all of its elected representatives, requiring them to confirm their loyalty to the party within 14 days.
Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said every MP and assemblyman in states led by the unity coalition must also confirm that they sit in the opposition.
ADVERTISEMENT
On the other hand, assemblymen in states led by Perikatan Nasional must state their support for their respective menteri besar.
“These letters were sent via email, courier service and even handed over to them personally. They will have to acknowledge and reply within 14 days, otherwise they would cease to be a member.
“However, for the seven elected representatives who have declared support for (the federal and Selangor governments), there are special instructions included in their letters,” he told reporters at a press conference, without disclosing the details of these “special instructions”.
These instructions were endorsed by the Bersatu Supreme Council, he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Six Bersatu MPs are backing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, namely Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labu).
Selat Klang assemblyman Abdul Rashid Asari had also declared support for Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hamzah said every member should abide by the party’s principles and struggle, including its decision to sit in the opposition.
“We have also emphasised our stand that we will not support (Prime Minister) Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, any menteri besar or chief minister (who is not aligned with Bersatu), or engage in any agreement that is not agreed upon by the party,” he said.
He said a seat shall fall vacant should the membership of any elected representative cease, citing Article 49A of the Federal Constitution.
Article 49A, commonly known as the anti-hopping law, states that an MP’s seat will be vacated in one of three situations: if they resign from their party, cease to be a member of the party, or join another political party.
On April 2, the Registrar of Societies approved an amendment to Bersatu’s constitution which allows the party to revoke the membership of its elected representatives if they go against the party’s stand.
Bersatu has yet to send letters to the “rogue” seven elected representatives about the termination of their membership, but instead urged them to vacate their seats rather than wait for the letters.
They have since maintained that they would not need to vacate their seats since they backed the unity government before the amendment to Bersatu’s constitution took effect.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
.jpg)
.jpg)
