Actions of Bersatu 6 strengthen national unity, says Amanah leader
Aiman Athirah said the recent amendment to Bersatu’s constitution contradicts Muhyiddin’s stance in April 2022 when debating the anti-hopping law, where he said someone who is dismissed from a party should not be considered as party hopping.
(FMT) – Amanah Wanita chief Aiman Athirah Sabu says their move to support the prime minister is clearly different from those who joined forces to topple the PH government in February 2020.
The actions of the six Bersatu MPs who declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should not be equated to those of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and other MPs during the Sheraton Move, says Amanah Wanita chief Aiman Athirah Sabu.
The Sepang MP said there was a clear difference between the actions of the six former Bersatu members and the MPs who joined forces to topple the Pakatan Harapan government after 22 months in power.
“The actions of Muhyiddin and his faction at that time resulted in the fall of the existing government, causing instability in the country.
“Conversely, the actions of the six MPs expelled from Bersatu for supporting the current prime minister contribute to strengthening the existing government and national stability,” she said in a Facebook post.
Aiman Athirah said the recent amendment to Bersatu’s constitution contradicts Muhyiddin’s stance in April 2022 when debating the anti-hopping law, where he said someone who is dismissed from a party should not be considered as party hopping.
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.
Recently, Anwar also pointed out that Bersatu had opposed the automatic vacating of seats for terminated members when the anti-hopping law was being drawn up, leading to the inclusion of exceptions in the constitution.
On April 2, the Registrar of Societies approved an amendment to Bersatu’s constitution which allows the party to revoke the memberships of its elected representatives if they go against the party’s stand.
The move was in response to the six Bersatu MPs pledging their support for the prime minister’s leadership without leaving the party, enabling them to circumvent a provision in the Federal Constitution which would have required them to vacate their seats.
The MPs 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).
Bersatu said last month they had ceased to be members after failing to respond to a notice to confirm their loyalty.
