PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has sent a letter confirming that Selat Kelang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari has ceased to be a Bersatu member, requesting the Selangor State Assembly Speaker to declare the seat vacant.
The Selangor Opposition leader said in a statement he had met Speaker Lau Weng San at Wisma Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam on Friday (June 21) regarding the matter.
"I pointed out that under Article LXVA(1) of the Selangor Constitution, when the Speaker receives notice to vacate a seat among the state assemblymen, he has to ensure it happens and inform the Election Commission of the vacancy within 21 days of the date he receives the notice,” said Azmin.
On March 6, Selat Klang state rep Asari of Bersatu shifted his allegiance to the unity government and announced that he was supporting Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Bersatu recently amended its party constitution to automatically nullify the membership of any of its elected representatives who shift their allegiance to rival parties.
In his statement, Azmin pointed out that according to the Selangor Constitution, an elected assemblyman ceases to be an elected representative and must vacate his seat as soon as the vacancy has been confirmed by the Speaker and he has ceased to be a member of his party.
"I informed the Speaker that Rashid has ceased to be a member and the Selat Klang seat has to be declared vacant.
"A notice to inform Rashid was also sent on June 12 to inform him of the cessation of his membership in line with Clause 10.4 of the Bersatu party constitution.
"The Societies Act 1986 also states that the decision of a political party based on its interpretation of its constitution is final and conclusive.
"I remind the Speaker to uphold his oath to protect and uphold the Selangor Constitution," said Azmin.
The Hulu Klang state assemblyman was accompanied by Sungai Ramal assemblyman Shafie Ngah when meeting the Speaker.
