KUALA LUMPUR – The opposition’s Bersatu leaders are free to say whatever they want but the Federal Constitution supersedes party rules, said embattled Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman.
Speaking to Scoop, Suhaili said party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin should know that he cannot sack the seven Bersatu lawmakers or force them to vacate their seats.
“It is the Dewan Rakyat speaker or the court that has the power to sack us, so if he (Hamzah) wants us to vacate our seats, he has to fight it in court, which is not easy to do.
“He can say whatever he likes, and we cannot stop him. But he must know that Bersatu’s constitution is not more powerful than the Federal Constitution.
“Bersatu only amended its party constitution recently. The Federal Constitution has not changed.”
Suhaili said the Clause 10 amendment to Bersatu’s constitution is irrelevant to the seven lawmakers, including himself, for supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The amendment is for party-hopping. We are not switching parties, as we are still Bersatu members. We are just supporting the current (unity) government.”
Earlier, it was reported that Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal said he would contest if a by-election for his seat was called.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Suhaili said if there is a by-election in the future, he will contest since the seven lawmakers were elected by the people.
“Same goes for me. We contested previously. We will fight back, and if we are defeated, that is fine.”
Yesterday, Hamzah said Bersatu sent a notice containing written instructions from its supreme council to all its MPs and assemblypersons, including the seven who declared their support for the prime minister.
Hamzah said the six lawmakers and one assemblyman who expressed support for Anwar had to respond within 14 days.
The six MPs who publicly support Anwar are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tg Karang).
Meanwhile, Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari expressed support for Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. – May 18, 2024