Duo no longer Bersatu members after joining PH campaign, says Hamzah

The Bersatu secretary-general says Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi and Abdul Rashid Asari must vacate their seats to make way for by-elections in their constituencies.

(FMT) – Tanjong Karang MP Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi and Selat Klang assemblyman Abdul Rashid Asari are no longer Bersatu members after joining Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) campaign for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election this weekend.

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said the duo must now vacate their seats to make way for by-elections in their constituencies.

“They spoke on the PH stage during the Kuala Kubu Baharu campaign. Based on our (Bersatu’s) constitution, their membership is automatically terminated,” Hamzah told reporters after a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ceramah in Bandar Utama Batang Kali last night.

“They have ceased to be party members, so as per the (anti-party hopping) law, they must also relinquish their seats.”

Hamzah added that letters on their membership status would be issued after the Supreme Council meeting next week.

Zulkafperi had last night urged voters to back PH’s candidate in the May 11 by-election, saying they should learn from his experience.

He said it was not easy being an opposition MP as there were many things he could not do for his constituency due to a lack of funds.

He also claimed that his monthly salary could be wiped out within a week just from attending weddings and funerals in his constituency where he was expected to donate money as well as pay the wages of his aides.

He said the lack of funds also meant that he could not organise programmes for the people despite many requests for him to do so.

Zulkafperi was one of six MPs from Bersatu who declared support for Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.

The other five were Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli) and Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar).

Rashid, who voiced support for Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari citing the same reasons as the MPs, had been seen supporting PH’s campaigns in Kuala Kubu Baharu over the past week.

He is also expected to join PH’s grand finale ceramah at 8.30pm tonight.

Hamzah also said that Bersatu had reached a decision on Suhaili’s membership which would be confirmed at the upcoming Supreme Council meeting.

“We’ve already reached a decision on Suhaili, we just need to confirm it (at the meeting) in accordance with the party’s constitution,” he said.