KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court's ruling allowing the Nenggiri state seat by-election to continue may put more pressure on the Dewan Rakyat speaker to decide the fate of the 'Bersatu 6'.
Political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri said allowing the six members of Parliament (MP) from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to keep their seats may lead to a "state versus federal" crisis if challenged in court.
"(This) would definitely put more pressure on Tan Sri Johari Abdul as Dewan Rakyat speaker, as a precedent has been set.
"If he decides to go against it and let the MPs keep their seats, it would probably lead to a crisis in the sense that it has to be tested in court for the correct interpretation of the law," she told the New Straits Times.
The Election Commission today set Aug 17 for the Nenggiri by-election, which was called after the Kelantan state assembly declared the seat vacant on June 19.
This was following the former state assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim's termination from Bersatu, relayed to him through an official notice on June 13.
It was reported that Mohd Azizi had filed a legal bid to halt the polls and also sought to challenge his termination from the party.
He filed the originating summons at the High Court on Monday. The court however dismissed his interim injunction yesterday, on grounds that there was no irreparable harm since Mohd Azizi could participate in the by-election.
Mohd Azizi is also the MP for Gua Musang. Apart from him, the five others dubbed as the 'Bersatu 6' include Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Jeli MP Zahari Kechik, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi and Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman.
The six had their memberships revoked after they had declared support for the unity government.
The other Bersatu elected representative who had his party membership revoked was Selat Kelang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashi Asari, who had declared his support for Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Meanwhile, Syaza said given Mohd Azizi's support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, it would be easier for him to align himself with Pakatan Harapan and be a candidate for the unity government, if he chooses to defend his seat.
"If he contests as an independent, with the possibility of a candidate each from the unity government and Perikatan National, his chances may not be as good."