Anwar defends speaker’s call on ‘Bersatu 6’

Bersatu had opposed the automatic forfeiture of seats for terminated members when the anti-hopping law was being formed, leading to the inclusion of exceptions in the constitution.

(FMT) – The prime minister tells Bersatu to read the Federal Constitution in its entirety, not selectively.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul’s decision not to vacate the seats of six MPs who recently ceased to be Bersatu members, saying the ruling is consistent with the law.

He said the Federal Constitution must be read in its entirety and not selectively, as the Bersatu leadership had done.

Anwar also said Bersatu had opposed the automatic forfeiture of seats for terminated members when the anti-hopping law was being formed, leading to the inclusion of exceptions in the constitution.

“We wanted anyone who was terminated to automatically lose their seats, but Bersatu opposed this at the time, which is why exceptions were included.

“The (Federal) Constitution must be read in full,” he told reporters after the Global Madani Forum 2024.

Yesterday, Bersatu president and Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said Johari’s decision was “disappointing” and in clear violation of the written and implied provisions of Article 49A(3) of the Federal Constitution.

The former prime minister added that Bersatu would appoint lawyers to challenge Johari’s decision in court.

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

Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, commonly known as the anti-hopping law, states that an MP’s seat will be vacated in one of three situations: if the MP resigns from his or her party, ceases to be a member of the party, or joins another political party.

It does not address the situation of an opposition MP choosing to support the government without taking any of these specific actions.

Aimed at discouraging MPs from switching parties, the law came into force on Oct 5, 2022 after being passed on July 28 the same year.

On a separate matter, Anwar said the details of the mufti bill are still under discussion by experts.

He said the bill will subsequently be referred to the Conference of Rulers, which is scheduled to meet next week.

Anwar’s remark came after the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail expressed displeasure over the use of the Conference of Rulers’ name to support the bill.