ALOR SETAR: The positions of two Kedah assemblymen expelled from Bersatu would be fine-tuned, as they were now independent representatives supporting the state government, said Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
The Kedah Mentri Besar said the state government would discuss the matter in detail before making any decision, including seeking an audience with Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah.
“They are not part of the opposition. They are now independent assemblymen who support the state government.
“Their positions will be discussed further,” he said when asked about the status of Suka Menanti assemblyman Dzowahir Ab Ghani, who serves as state agriculture, plantation and transport committee chairman, and Sungai Tiang assemblyman Abdul Razak Khamis, who is the Deputy Speaker of the Kedah state assembly.
Sanusi, who is Kedah Perikatan Nasional chairman, said any action must follow the proper administrative process.
“We need to discuss the matter in detail, present it to the Sultan, and then go through the procedures that have been set,” Kedah's Darul Aman Information Secretariat reported Sanusi saying.
He said a letter from Bersatu requesting a replacement for the exco member and Deputy Speaker had been received earlier, but no action was taken as both men were still party members at the time.
Sanusi said the issue was discussed when Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali attended the Kubang Rotan state constituency and Kedah Bersatu Aidilfitri open house on April 10.
“At that time, they had not been disciplined by the party, so there was no reason to replace them.
“Now we have received the official expulsion letters, but any action is still subject to the procedures for appointing exco members and the Deputy Speaker,” he said.
On Friday (May 8), Bersatu, through a notice signed by its disciplinary board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan, announced that Dzowahir and Abdul Razak had been expelled with immediate effect.
The two were sacked under Clause 22.5 of the party constitution for allegedly breaching Clause 9.1.4 and the party’s code of ethics and conduct.
Bersatu had suspended seven other leaders for two party election terms, including Chenderoh assemblyman Syed Lukman Hakim Syed Mohd Zain, Tanah Merah MP Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, Rompin MP Datuk Khalib Abdullah and Lumut MP Nordin Ahmad Ismail.
