Dr M, Mukhriz, Syed Saddiq and two others axed from Bersatu

PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has axed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and two others for sitting in the Opposition bench during the May-18 parliamentary sitting.

The other two who were removed from the party were Dr Maszlee Malik and Amiruddin Hamzah, both Bersatu supreme council members.

The decision was conveyed to them in a letter by Bersatu organising secretary Muhammad Suhaimi Yahya, which was sighted by The Star.

“Through the notice dated May 15, YB Tun informed that his sitting position in Parliament was at the block that is not supporting the Perikatan Nasional government led by the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is the Bersatu president and acting chairman.

“In the Parliament session on May 18, YB Tun also joined and sat at the Opposition bloc.

“Therefore, it is informed that through Clauses 10.2.2 and 10.2.3 of the Bersatu party constitution, YB Tun’s membership in Bersatu is ceased immediately, ” the letter to Dr Mahathir read.

Contents of the letter were also the same for the other four who were sacked from Bersatu.

Speculation over the sacking of Dr Mahathir and his supporters were rife in recent days, as the first Bersatu party polls loomed.

Dr Mahathir was former Bersatu chairman, Mukhriz was the Bersatu deputy party president, while Syed Saddiq was the Bersatu Youth chief (Armada).