KUALA LUMPUR: Despite asking to be moved to a different seat in the Dewan Rakyat, the four Bersatu Members of Parliament (MPs) who pledged to back Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will continue to serve as Perikatan Nasional legislators for the time being.
Spokesman Tan Sri Johari Abdul stated he will make a decision soon, maybe during the Deepavali break, and confirmed that he got a written notification.
According to him, the anti-hopping statute explains exactly how a seat is lost.
“They pledged assistance. They did not go across (to the block owned by the government). That holds no significance. At a press conference on Thursday, November 9, he stated, “Some people support in silence, while others do so publicly.”
“Anyone can pledge their support; it does not imply a loss of seats (for Perikatan Nasional).”
Some people who felt uncomfortable sitting with their old friend asked to be seated in a different position. That is within my right. He answered, “I can make a few adjustments.
He did not, however, disclose the location of the four deputies’ requested relocation.
When asked whether they had sought to be moved to the government backbench, he responded, “It is not decided where they will be relocated.”
Johari stated that he hasn’t had a chance to meet the four lawmakers.
“I’ll get in touch with them and try to work things out, just like I worked things out with Muar (Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman).”
Johari continued, “Since it’s not party hopping, it doesn’t affect the “stability” of the Dewan Rakyat.”
This could just be a phrase that is entirely political or apolitical. Not sure. People have the right to support if they so choose. He continued, “It has nothing to do with administrative (problems).
The MPs for Labuan, Datuk Dr. Suhaili Abdul Rahman, and Kuala Kangsar, Bersatu’s Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, recently announced their support for Anwar, claiming they were doing so to secure more funding for their constituency.
The party’s disciplinary council subsequently declared that Suhaili and Iskandar had been suspended from the party for four and six years, respectively, according to Bersatu general secretary Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.
Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, a Gua Musang MP, became the third Bersatu MP to endorse Anwar’s leadership on November 7.
Another occurrence similar to this occurred in Bersatu on November 8, when Jeli MP Zahari Kechik became the fourth member of parliament to back Anwar.
Speculation is that additional Bersatu MPs would follow his example and give Anwar their support.
