KUALA LUMPUR: All Bersatu MPs and state assemblymen have been issued letters from the party leadership with 14 days to respond, failing which their membership will cease, said party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
However, Hamzah said the six rogue Bersatu MPs and the sole assemblyman who declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will receive “additional instructions” in their letters.
"There are additional instructions and they know what these are. The media can meet up with them (to find out) what instructions I gave as the secretary-general," Hamzah told a press conference at Perikatan Nasional’s headquarters here on Friday (May 17).
According to Hamzah, the letters dated May 17 were sent via email, by courier and also personally delivered.
“I was made to understand that some elected representatives were afraid to receive it physically,” said Hamzah.
Elaborating on the letter, Hamzah said Bersatu elected representatives were instructed to be loyal to the party and to be aware that it has decided not to support the government led by Anwar.
Hamzah said the letter also mentioned clearly that Perikatan will remain in the Opposition and will carry the people’s voices to Parliament.
He also said Bersatu elected representatives were reminded that their party membership would cease if they were found to declare support for rival parties.
“If they back rival parties...without leaving the party, then this undermines the Federal Constitution and other provisions in state constitutions, which were deemed sacrosanct.
“We want them to follow and be loyal to the party’s struggles and stand," added Hamzah.
Earlier this year, the Registrar of Societies approved amendments to Bersatu’s constitution to allow the party to revoke the membership of elected representatives who go against the party’s stand.
Six Bersatu MPs have gradually declared support for Anwar since the end of last year.
They are Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang).
On March 6, Selat Klang assemblyman and former Selangor Bersatu chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari also declared support for the leadership of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
