BAGAN DATUK: Barisan Nasional would try to wrest back the six parliamentary seats held by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia if they are declared vacant, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Barisan chairman said these seats were once held by the coalition.
“We will discuss this with the unity government leadership to decide on it if the vacancies occur,” he told reporters after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region mini showcase programme here yesterday.
He said Barisan candidates should be given the priority to contest in these constituencies should they be vacated, Bernama reported.
However, he said he believed that Parliamentary regulations and the Federal Constitution do not provide for the six MPs to be stripped of their seats despite efforts by Bersatu to declare their seats vacant.
The Umno president was responding to news reports that six Bersatu seats might have to be vacated if the MPs stick to their stand of supporting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister.
Guests of honour: Ahmad Zahid (in red) accompanied by Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (in blue) arriving at the Dataran Menara Condong as they attend the BMS ceremony in Teluk Intan, Perak. — Bernama
This follows an amendment to Article 10 of the Bersatu constitution, as approved at a special general meeting on Saturday, for the immediate stripping of membership of any MP who pledges support for any political party in contravention of the party’s directive or stand.
The six Bersatu MPs who have expressed support for Anwar are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
Separately, Ahmad Zahid – who is also Deputy Prime Minister – said the government is acquiring land to develop a new township in Bagan Datuk to expand the district’s potential.
He said upon completion of the project, all the administrative offices of the federal and state governments in the district including its police headquarters, would be moved to the new township named Bandar Baharu Bagan Datuk.
Earlier, at the 2023 Young Talent Competition Awards (BMS) ceremony at Dataran Menara Condong in Teluk Intan, Ahmad Zahid urged the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to consider providing allocations to upgrade the 139-year-old landmark that was built in 1885.
Mohamad Zulkefli Mohd Jais, 28, from Teluk Intan, won the BMS Main Award 2023.
He took home RM30,000 and will represent Malaysia at the Gwangju Biennale 2024 in South Korea.
