Sacked Bersatu MP sues party for revoking membership; Parliament Speaker defends decision not to vacate seats

SINGAPORE: One of the six Members of Parliament ( MP ) expelled from Malaysia’s opposition party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia ( Bersatu) for supporting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is suing the party for revoking his membership. &nbsp,

The Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, the House of Representatives in Malaysia, has defended his decision to keep the MPs ‘ chairs, claiming he is certainly a “postman” delivering Bersatu information. &nbsp,

According to the Malay Mail, Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman sued Bersatu for violating his constitutional rights to personal liberty, free speech, and association in a lawsuit that was filed with the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Monday ( Jul 8 ), and for obstructing him from serving his constituents. &nbsp,

According to local media, he also accused Bersatu of acting illegally in the subject, alleging that its decision violated the country’s political democracy, which was a crime under Area 124B of the Penal Code and covered activities that endangered political democracy. &nbsp,

One of the seven elected representatives who was expelled from their position because he supported the Malay top is Mr. Suhaili. One of the six is a Selangor express assembly, while the other is a national MP. &nbsp,

The six federal MPs are: Mr Suhaili, Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi ( Tanjong Karang ), Mr Zahari Kechik ( Jeli), Mr Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid ( Kuala Kangsar ), Mr Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal ( Bukit Gantang ), and Mr Mohd Azizi Abu Naim ( Gua Musang ). &nbsp,

They were fired from the group last month after failing to rescind their support for Mr. Anwar and failing to comply with a letter from the party’s high leadership council pledging allegiance to the organization.

Abdul Rashid Asari, a former president of Selangor Bersatu, and Selat Klang assembly, also expressed support for Amirudin Shari’s leadership. Mr. Amirudin is a member of Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR ) under Mr. Anwar.

Johari Abdul, the speech of Dewan Rakyat, defended his choice on Thursday, adding that he was not the person who delivered Bersatu’s information to the Election Commission. &nbsp,

His decision had been communicated to the Bersatu authority on Wednesday.

Mr. Johari claimed to have explained his choice in a letter to Ronald Kiandee, the leader of Bersatu. In a recent conversation to discuss the issue, Mr. Kiandee, who is also a Beluran MP, had raised a ranking order.

” I want to make it clear that I am not a postman”, Mr Johari said, as quoted in local media. When I receive a observe like the one the Beluran MP mentioned, I will make sure I study every detail involved.

” And I made the decision, and my determination remains … there are no jobs.”

Mr Johari’s ruling was met with backlash from MPs within and outside Bersatu, including deputy president of Islamist Parti Islam Se-Malaysia ( PAS ) Ibrahim Tuan Man, who claimed that the decision went against Article 49A of the Federal Constitution’s anti-hopping law.

Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia ( Gerakan ) and PAS are both parties in the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional ( PN). &nbsp,

Mr. Ibrahim claims that the legislation mandates that an MP who leaves his group must resign from office after forming a new political party.

” The question then is, what is the point of having an anti-party leaping regulation if it is not enforced?,” said Mr Ibrahim in a Twitter posting on Wednesday.

However, some have defended the selection, including Mr Anwar, who said that Mr Johari’s decision was in accordance with the law. &nbsp,

Additionally, Mr. Anwar made note of Bersatu’s opposition to automated seat forfeiture for expelled members, which led to the inclusion of exceptions in the constitution during his early years.

While Malaysia’s anti-party leaping law applies to MPs who quit their celebration, it did not apply to those who have been fired, according to a political analyst CNA recently spoke to. &nbsp,

The expert added that the MPs who were expelled may be formally recognized as politicians.