Bersatu yet to notify on status of 6 ‘rogue’ MPs, says Speaker

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul said he had not received any notification from Bersatu regarding the status of the six Bersatu MPs who pledged support to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Dewan Rakyat has not yet received any notification from Bersatu regarding the status of its six MPs who declared support to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim following an amendment to the party’s constitution.

Speaker Johari Abdul said the status of the six MPs remained unchanged until he was officially informed otherwise, Bernama reported.

“As long as it does not involve Parliament, I shall not interfere. It’s their political issue and also an administrative issue that they have to settle with the Registrar of Societies (RoS),” he was quoted as saying.

“If they notify me, then I’ll do the necessary. So far, I have not received any notification, letter or email (from them). So, I take it that nothing has happened.”

Johari said he also would not interfere in Bersatu’s party affairs.

On April 2, the RoS approved an amendment to Bersatu’s constitution which would allow the party to revoke the membership of its elected representatives if they went against the party’s stand.

The party’s top leaders, such as secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, have urged the six Bersatu MPs to immediately vacate their seats to make way for by-elections in their constituencies.

Hamzah said dismissal notices would be issued after the supreme council meeting this week.

The six MPs are 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 (Labuan).

All six justified their support for the federal government by citing the needs of the people in their constituencies. However, they said they would remain loyal to Bersatu.