TANJONG Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi and Selat Klang assemblyman Abdul Rashid Asari have been sacked from Bersatu for attending a Pakatan Harapan (PH) campaign event in Kuala Kubu Baharu last night.
Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin told reporters after a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ceramah in Bandar Utama Batang Kali last night that the duo must now vacate their seats to make way for by-elections in their constituencies, FMT reported.
“They spoke on the PH stage during the Kuala Kubu Baharu campaign. Based on our (Bersatu’s) constitution, their membership is automatically terminated,” Hamzah told reporters after a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ceramah in Bandar Utama Batang Kali last night.
“They have ceased to be party members, so as per the (anti-party hopping) law, they must also relinquish their seats.”
Hamzah said that letters on their membership status would be issued after the Supreme Council meeting next week.
Zulkapferi is among six Bersatu MPs who previously pledged support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, citing the well-being of their constituents.
The other five are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
Rashid, meanwhile, backed Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in the state legislative assembly.
According to the news portal, Zulkafperi had last night urged voters to back PH candidate Pang Sock Tao in the May 11 by-election, saying they should learn from his experience.
He said it was not easy being an opposition MP as there were many things he could not do for his constituency due to a lack of funds.
He also claimed that his monthly salary could be wiped out within a week just from attending weddings and funerals in his constituency where he was expected to donate money as well as pay the wages of his aides.
Rashid, meanwhile, has been seen supporting PH’s campaigns in the by-election over the past week and is also expected to join the government’s grand finale ceramah tonight, according to the FMT report.
Hamzah, who is also the opposition leader, further told reporters that Bersatu has “reached a decision” regarding Suhaili’s fate in the party but the matter has to be confirmed at the upcoming supreme council meeting.
The recent amendment to Article 10 of Bersatu’s constitution stipulates that any elected representative who defected from the party would automatically cease to be a member.
In doing so, the defectors will also trigger the anti-hopping law as per Article 49A of the Federal Constitution and their seats will be vacated. – May 9, 2024
