SELAT Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari has shot down allegations that he should have his Bersatu membership revoked after appearing with Pakatan Harapan leaders to campaign for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election recently.
In an FMT report, Abdul Rashid was quoted as saying he did so as there was no provision in the recently-amended Bersatu constitution that prohibited him from doing so.
“There is no clause in the party’s constitution that says I can’t share a stage with unity government leaders and give a ceramah. It only states that I can’t join another party,” he told the news portal.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said last week that sharing a stage with Bersatu’s political rivals and delivering a speech against the party were sufficient grounds for the termination of membership.
Muhyiddin said one could no longer claim to be still supporting the party with such behaviour.
“Think about it, is it logical? Based on our constitution, his actions would see his membership terminated,” he was reported as saying, referring Abdul Rashid.
Abdul Rashid, who pledged his support for Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in March, however insisted that his membership could not be terminated as he had not violated the party’s constitution.
He further contended that according to the amended party constitution, instructions must be given in written form.
“Until today there is no such written instruction which says I can’t campaign with the unity government, so I’m not in the wrong,” he argued.
Abdul Rashid previously went down to Kuala Kubu Baharu to support the unity government’s campaign for the by-election and spoke at the Pentas Isu Semasa programme in Batang Kali.
The former Bersatu Selangor Leadership Council chief said the decision to assist PH candidate Pang Sock Tao was made after considering that there was no provision in Bersatu’s constitution preventing him from doing so.
He said it was also motivated by the effective governance achievements of the Selangor government, besides believing that Pang could be a good elected representative if given the mandate.
“There is no clause or provision stating that members can be disciplined for participating in any ceramah.
“They can expel me if I leave the party and support another party, but there is no provision preventing me from speaking at any talks, whether with the unity (government) or Bersatu. That’s why I dare to come here.
“I also don’t mind if Perikatan Nasional (PN) wants to make my presence here tonight as (some issue in) their campaign. Please, no problem,” he said, adding that Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi also supported the unity government campaign around Kuala Kubu Baharu.
On May 9, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin announced that Abdul Rashid and Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi – who had also supported the unity government campaign around KKB leading up to the by-election last weekend – are no longer Bersatu members.
Hamzah, who is also the opposition leader, also said the duo must now vacate their seats to make way for by-elections in their constituencies. – May 15, 2024
Main pic credit: Sinar Harian
