KUALA LUMPUR: "Our fate lies in the hands of the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, not Perikatan Nasional (PN)," declared the six Bersatu rebels at a press conference in Parliament today.
Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman, one of the six, said that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul's decision was final.
Suhaili said that they would continue serving their constituencies as independents without joining any party.
"Independent or not, these are all decisions of the Speaker. It was PN from the opposition bloc that turned our status to independent MPs," he said.
He clarified that their declaration of support for the unity government was motivated by the need for allocations to serve their constituencies.
"We remain loyal to Bersatu, but the leadership did not accept it. We support the government for the sake of allocation," he said.
"On the other hand, the six of us are not in a position to topple the government. So, what's wrong with allowing us to support the government to obtain allocations since the party cannot provide us with allocations?
"Therefore, we decided that we are leaders for the people in our constituencies. So we have made our decision," he said.
Also present were Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), and Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar).
Meanwhile, Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal did not attend the press conference as he was unwell.
Suhaili said that the Speaker's decision aligned with the advice of both the current and former Yang-Di Pertuan Agong, aiming to maintain political stability and prioritise economic recovery.
Last month, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee sent a notice to Johari on the status of the six rebel MPs.
Yesterday, PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the Bersatu six rebels would not vacate their seats despite a notice issued by the party.
This, he said as he had received a letter on Tuesday evening from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker regarding the matter.