KUALA LUMPUR: Labuan member of parliament Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman has filed a legal bid to challenge his termination from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
The politician filed a writ via Messrs Firoz Julian at the High Court by naming Datuk Muhammad Suhaimi Yahya on behalf of the political party last week.
Suhaili, in his statement of claim, alleged he was unlawfully suspended as a member of Bersatu after pledging his support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's unity government.
The plaintiff claimed that the suspension of his membership without the right to be heard is unlawful.
"The plaintiff was unlawfully suspended without being given the right to be heard and therefore, deprived of his right to procedural fairness as enshrined by Article 5 of the Federal Constitution.
"Bersatu has breached the contract of membership between the plaintiff and the party by unlawfully suspending him.
"The party has acted in contravention of Section 124B of the Penal Code for suspending the plaintiff for merely expressing support for the prime minister with an intention of helping his constituents in Labuan," he said.
Section 124B stipulates whoever, by any means, directly or indirectly, commits an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 20 years.
Suhaili said it was an essential and fundamental part of a parliamentary democracy that an MP is entitled to express his support for the prime minister so as to secure help for his constituents.
"Bersatu has turned a blind eye to his efforts and the dedication he has shown to the party by pouring his efforts into the last general election to ensure victory in Labuan.
"Without the plaintiff's contributions and efforts, Bersatu would not have secured the Labuan seat and would have been short of one seat in Parliament," he said.
Suhaili is seeking several declaratory judgments, along with damages and any other relief the court deems appropriate.