PETALING JAYA: Only 25 MPs and 58 state assemblymen have pledged to remain loyal to Bersatu through a special letter.
This number is short of the 31 MPs and 60 state lawmakers who were told to sign the document or have their memberships nullified. Party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed that 25 MPs and 58 state assemblymen had signed and returned the letter by its deadline of May 31.
Muhyiddin said the letter stated that they were to declare their continued support to party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who is also parliamentary Opposition leader, within 14 days.
“Yesterday (May 31), was the last day for Bersatu elected representatives to fulfil the special directive of the supreme council.
“It is reminded that according to Article 10.4 of the Bersatu constitution, the party’s elected representatives who disobey any directive issued by the supreme council will result in the immediate cessation of their membership in the party,” he said yesterday.
“I extend my gratitude to the Bersatu special committee who diligently completed this special directive of the supreme 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 have been given 14 days to reply to a letter seeking their loyalty to the party.
The letter had said that their memberships would cease if they failed to reply to the letter.
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.
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.
Bersatu has successfully amended its party constitution to automatically nullify the membership of any of its elected representatives who shifted their allegiance to rival parties.
