Bersatu's move to expel Opposition-supporting MPs could backfire - Expert
Bersatu passed an amendment to its party constitution that will lead to the automatic membership cessation of any elected representative who goes rogue.
SHAH ALAM - The potential dismissal of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) MPs who support the opposition would be detrimental to the party, as these representatives would still retain the parliamentary seats.
Political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub stressed the need for Bersatu to tactfully address the issue of the six MPs who declared their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said it is not easy for the involved MPs to relinquish their positions after enjoying various privileges, including fund allocations, following their declaration of support for the Unity Government.
"If these six MPs are expelled, they will not lose their seats, but Bersatu will lose six seats.
"It would be a loss for Bersatu if they fail to handle this issue carefully," he told Sinar yesterday.
On Saturday, Bersatu passed an amendment to its party constitution that will lead to the automatic membership cessation of any elected representative who goes rogue.
At an extraordinary general meeting, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu mooted a motion to amend Article 10 of the party constitution to terminate the membership of elected representatives who shift allegiances.
According to the motion, any Bersatu member who is an elected representative in the Dewan Rakyat or state assemblies who disobeys party orders will have their party membership terminated automatically.
Following the decision, Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan urged the Registrar of Society (ROS) to expedite the approval of the amendments so it can be immediately enforced.
Tawfik said he believed the involved MPs would use any means to delay the enforcement of the amendment by dragging Bersatu to court before it is approved by the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (RoS).
"If this amendment is not retrospective, these six MPs will not be affected by the amendment after it is enforced.
“I expect this amendment will not take effect in the near future because of the potential injunction applications by them.
“Therefore, Bersatu will continue to face a dilemma with the positions of these six MPs," he added.
The six MPs he was referring to 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.
