25 MPs and 58 assemblymen pledge loyalty to Bersatu, says Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 25 MPs and 58 state assemblymen have pledged their continued loyalty to Bersatu, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic).

The Bersatu president said the party’s elected representatives had signed a notice declaring their continued support to the party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin within the 14-day period since the letter was issued in May.

“Yesterday (May 31) was the last day for Bersatu elected representatives to fulfil the special directive of the Supreme Leadership Council.

"It is reminded that according to Article 10.4 of the Bersatu constitution, disobedience to any directive issued by the Supreme Leadership Council results in the immediate cessation of membership in the party," he said in a statement on Saturday (June 1).

Muhyiddin added that the supreme council’s special directive was made following amendments to the party’s constitution, recently approved by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), and complies with the requirements of Article 49A of the Federal Constitution regarding anti-party hopping.

He also expressed gratitude to the party’s elected representatives who remained steadfast in pledging loyalty to the party in defending religion, race, and country.

"I extend my gratitude to the Bersatu special committee who diligently completed this special directive of the Supreme Leadership Council in an orderly and meticulous manner, complying with all legal requirements," he added.

On May 18, Hamzah said 31 MPs and 60 assemblymen of Bersatu were given 14 days to reply to a letter seeking their loyalty to the party and that their party membership would cease if they failed to reply.

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

The six MPs are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abu 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).

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.