Six former Bersatu MPs still technically with Perikatan, says Speaker

KUALA LUMPUR: The six expelled Bersatu MPs who got to keep their parliamentary seats are still considered Perikatan Nasional MPs, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

According to Johari, he has yet to receive any written notice from Perikatan that the six MPs have ceased to be with the Opposition coalition.

“Bersatu has written to me. But not Perikatan. Our record is with Perikatan, not Bersatu or PAS,” he said during Question Time on Wednesday (July 17).

The issue arose when Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) asked why Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (PN-Bukit Gantang) was still seated with the Opposition MPs.

“Bukit Gantang (Syed Abu) is (no longer) from Perikatan, Why is he sitting there?” Shaari asked.

Johari replied that Perikatan had to write in to inform him that Syed Hussin was no longer a Perikatan MP.

All the six former Bersatu MPs who declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remain parliamentarians despite ceasing to be party members.

Their memberships were revoked after they failed to pledge their loyalty to the party in writing by May 31 in keeping with recent amendments to the Bersatu constitution.

Selat Kelang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, who also backed the Selangor government, got to keep his state seat as well.

Bersatu has said it will take legal action against the six MPs and the sole assemblyman who backed Anwar.