KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has hinted at follow-up measures after the Registrar of Societies (RoS) approved amendments to the party’s constitution to take action against representatives who defected.
In a statement today, Hamzah said that subsequent steps following RoS’ approval will follow the party constitution and laws.
“At the same time, the process of empowering the party is being carried out. God willing, Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN) will remain the voice and choice of the people,” he added.
Earlier today, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal claimed that the approved amendments will allow the party to vacate the six parliamentary seats held by its MPs who had pledged support for the government, paving the way for by-elections.
However, the amendments came into effect on April 1, while the six MPs had declared their backing of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership prior to this.
In March, Bersatu sought to amend Article 10 of its constitution to automatically terminate the membership of elected representatives if they support any other party or policy not aligned with Bersatu’s position.
Party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said that once the amendment was approved by the RoS, Bersatu would seek to vacate the six parliamentary seats currently held by MPs who remained in the party but had publicly supported Anwar and the unity government.
The MPs involved 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 (Tg Karang).
The party’s Selat Klang assemblyman, Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, also announced his backing for Anwar’s government, claiming that his move was a result of Perikatan Nasional’s silence amid accusations thrown at the Malay rulers. – April 2, 2024