Bersatu will not oust the six MPs who have thrown their support behind Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but will instead seek to have their membership revoked, says party supreme council member Dr Afif Bahardin.
“Bersatu is exploring all legal and political avenues to vacate the seats for by-elections.
“If we remove them, they can still retain the seats and the anti-party hopping law will not be applicable,” he said, adding that the law only applies if they are no longer party members due to a violation of party rules or instructions.
He stated that Bersatu would soon convene a general meeting to introduce a membership cessation clause in the party constitution.
He explained that once this is done, the six MPs will no longer be Bersatu members and the Parliament Speaker must declare the six seats vacant.
The six MPs are Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi.
Meanwhile, political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Bersatu may encounter a dilemma in trying to remove the MPs by amending the party constitution.
He said MPs could contest their membership revocations as the amendments were made after they declared their support for Anwar.
“They can take the issue to court. Therefore, it is best for Bersatu to make the amendments as soon as possible,” said Dr. Sivamurugan.
He stated that both Umno and the DAP revised their party constitutions immediately after the anti-party hopping law was passed.
“In fact, when Umno issued appointment letters to candidates for the last general election, provisions and conditions stipulated in the anti-party hopping law were included,” he said.
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