PETALING JAYA: Though the two Bersatu MPs who were sacked and suspended from the party will not be losing their Parliamentary seats, the opposition’s strength is still threatened through the disciplinary action, say political analysts.
The analysts said despite the sacking of Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan and suspension of Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, the number of Perikatan Nasional lawmakers in Dewan Rakyat remained the same.
However, technically, Bersatu as a party loses one MP, from 25 to 24, said political analyst Prof Wong Chin Huat of Sunway University.
He explained that under the anti-hopping law, Wan Saiful does not lose his seat because he did not quit the party but was sacked by Bersatu.
“He can claim to be a Perikatan MP, as he was elected under that banner in the last general election and Perikatan did not sack him.
“His loss of party membership does not reduce the number of Opposition MPs unless he signals his support for the government,” Wong said.
He explained that Wan Saiful has four options – to stay in the opposition bench as an independent, join another opposition party in Perikatan, pledge allegiance to the government as an independent MP or join one of the government parties.
Wong said Wan Fayhsal’s predicament was akin to that of Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein who was suspended from Umno for six years in 2023.
“Officially, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal’s suspension does not impact the size of Bersatu’s parliamentary delegation. By the time his suspension ends, the 16th general election may be close,” he said.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Dr Mazlan Ali said that he sees possible minor changes in the current political landscape with the latest disciplinary action by Bersatu.
“Wan Saiful and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal may find the right tempo to determine their direction. The move to become government-friendly MPs is the main possible option.
“This issue has the potential to weaken the current position of the opposition.
“The government will take this opportunity to strengthen their position and will make it difficult for the opposition in the coming election,” said Mazlan.
