Gua Musang MP refuses to vacate seat over ‘vague’ notice

Bersatu’s Azizi Abu Naim says he will not comply with a notice from the party stating that it intends to revoke his membership.

(FMT) – Bersatu’s Gua Musang MP Azizi Abu Naim has refused to vacate his seat despite receiving a notice from the party indicating its intention to revoke his membership.

Azizi said he received the notice yesterday, but would not comply as it was “very vague”.

“The party leadership has been unfair and unprofessional in their interactions with me as a member who has contributed to the party’s success in the last general election,” he told FMT.

Yesterday, FMT reported that Bersatu had terminated the membership of six of its MPs, including Azizi, who declared their support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government.

The other MPs are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

Earlier today, Syed Hussin insisted he remained an MP, saying that Bersatu’s termination of his membership amounted to “constructive dismissal”.

Citing Article 49A(2)(c) of the Federal Constitution, Syed Hussin said his status as an MP remained intact “when Bersatu sacked me by removing my name from the membership list”.

Article 49A(2)(c) states that an MP shall not lose his position solely by virtue of expulsion of his membership of his political party. However, Article 49(A) mandates vacating the seat if the MP resigns from or ceases to be a party member.

Bersatu contended that the memberships of elected representatives like Azizi and Syed Hussin were terminated of their own accord when they went against party directives and that they must resign from their elected posts as they had ceased to be party members.

Party secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said Bersatu delivered notices of immediate termination to the six MPs for not complying with clause 10.4 of its constitution.

According to the recently amended party constitution, any Bersatu member who is a Dewan Rakyat member or state legislative assembly member who does not comply with orders from the party’s Supreme Council will have his or her membership terminated immediately.

Hamzah said the process was in line with the party’s constitution and the country’s laws under Article 49A(1) of the Federal Constitution and/or under the related state government laws.