Bersatu issues loyalty ultimatum to MPs and reps

KUALA LUMPUR: All 31 MPs and 60 assemblymen of Bersatu have been given 14 days to reply to a letter seeking their loyalty to the party, says Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic).

Their party membership would cease if they fail to reply to the letter from the party leadership, he said.

As for the six MPs and one assemblyman who had declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Hamzah said they were given “additional instructions” in the letter but did not elaborate.

“There are additional instructions and they know what it is.

“The media can meet up with them (to find out) what instructions I gave as a secretary-general,” Hamzah told a press conference yesterday.

The six Bersatu MPs – representing Tanjong Karang, Jeli, Kuala Kangsar, Bukit Gantang, Labuan and Gua Musang – could not be reached for comments as of press time.

The Selat Klang assemblyman of Bersatu has also declared support for the leadership of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari of PKR.

Hamzah said the letters dated May 17 were sent via email, courier and delivered personally to the Bersatu elected representatives.

He said Bersatu elected representatives were instructed to be loyal to the party and to be aware that the party had decided not to support the Anwar administration.

The letters, he said, were clear in stating Perikatan Nasional’s stance to remain as the Opposition.

He said these Bersatu elected representatives were reminded that their party membership could cease if they were found to be declaring support to rival parties.

They were told not to back the government of the day, said Hamzah.

“We want them to be loyal to the party’s struggles,” he added.

Last month, the Registrar of Societies approved amendments to Bersatu’s constitution to allow the party to revoke the membership of those who go against the party’s stand.