PUTRAJAYA, July 12 — Bersatu’s removal of six MPs does not mean they have to vacate their seats as they did not party-hop, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.
“We are all aware that Article 49A (2) clearly states dismissal does not equate vacant seat, nor does it mean party-hopping. If we examine what happened, it is interpreted as planned sacking,” he told a post-Cabinet meeting presser here.
The six MPs involved in the issue are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).
On the decision by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, who ruled that the six MPs would remain elected representatives, Fahmi said the decision was based on the Federal Constitution and legal interpretation.
“This adheres to the fundamental rules of parliamentary proceedings (Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders),” he said, adding that any criticism of Johari’s decision is unfounded.
Fahmi told the opposition to stop portraying itself as heroes in this matter, noting that Bersatu previously opposed amendments to the anti-party hopping law when it was proposed by then Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
“Bersatu was the one most opposed to several amendments proposed by the law minister then. If there’s anyone to blame, it should be Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.
“They were among those strongly against the amendments, which, if implemented, would have prevented the current situation. Now, they’re making noise in the Dewan Rakyat, but they were the ones who disagreed initially,” he said.
Two days ago, Muhyiddin confirmed Bersatu had received a letter from Johari saying the six MPs’ seats have not been made vacant after they pledged their support to Anwar.
On June 20, Bersatu chief whip Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said the party submitted notices to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s office on the status of the six MPs, whose memberships were revoked by the party in accordance with Article 49A of the Federal Constitution.
The six MPs received notices of immediate termination on June 12 after failing to respond to a notice to pledge allegiance to the party.
— Bernama
