Johari: Two MPs asked for change in seating

TANJONG Karang MP Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi and Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Syed Abdul Fasal requested to change their seating away from the Opposition bloc on their own accord, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

Johari said MPs were free to change their seating, adding that there are many reasons why MPs do so. “I will not stop anyone from changing their seating positions.

“As long as they write to me, I can decide if it is applicable,” he told Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Johari was responding to a question by Perikatan Nasional whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who asked for the reasoning behind Dr Zulkafperi and Syed Abu Hussin – both of whom are from Bersatu, a party within Perikatan – changing their seats.

The duo are among six Bersatu MPs who had pledged support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The other Bersatu MPs are Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

Based on the Parliament website, Dr Zulkafperi, Syed Abu Hussin, Zahari, Mohd Azizi and Suhaili have moved their seats.

They are seated a row behind Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar), who also previously retracted support for the Anwar administration.

Only Iskandar Dzulkarnain is still seated together with other Perikatan MPs.