KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended the decision of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul not to vacate the seats of six Bersatu members of parliament, saying that it was done in accordance with the law.
Speaking to the media, Anwar said Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin needed to read the interpretation of the Federal Constitution's anti-hopping law in its entirety, rather than selectively.
He said that the Speaker's decision was grounded in the law, granting him the authority to adjudicate such matters impartially.
"When interpreting the law, it must be done comprehensively, without omitting parts, as was selectively done by Bersatu's leadership," he added.
"According to the law, it's not about the Prime Minister or the opposition leader, it's about adhering to the law and leaving its interpretation to the Speaker.
"I don't understand why they selectively read some parts and ignore others, this is Bersatu's political method. Like BlackRock, they pick and choose, which is incorrect," he told reporters at the Global Madani Forum 2024.
Anwar said that during his time in the opposition, Bersatu had opposed automatic seat forfeiture for expelled members, leading to the inclusion of exceptions in the constitution.
"We strongly insisted on including the clause that if expelled, they must vacate their seats, but Bersatu opposed it at the time.
"That's why it was included as an exception, so you have to refer to the Constitution," he said.
Anwar referred specifically to Article 49A(2) of the Federal Constitution, which outlines exceptions to the Anti-Hopping Law, clarifying that MPs who resign or are expelled from their party upon election are not automatically disqualified.
Previously, it was reported that the six seats of Bersatu rebels would not be vacated despite a notice issued by the party.
This was confirmed by Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, during a press conference held in Parliament yesterday (July 11).
The six Bersatu MPs, whose membership was revoked by the party after declaring their support for the unity government, are Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang) and Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Gua Musang's Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, who was the Nenggiri assemblyman.