KOTA BARU: The six Bersatu rebels should vacate their seats if they are honest people, said Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
He said their resignations would allow a new mandate to be carried out.
He said the decision by the Dewan Rakyat speaker not to vacate the seats of the six was disappointing.
"Pas is wondering about the purpose of having an anti-hopping law if it is not enforced.
"Although all members of parliament supported it, it failed to translate into results.
"If the six MPs are honest, they should resign so that a new mandate can be obtained."
When debating this act, he said, the speaker was among those who had supported this effort, as well as non-governmental organisations, especially Bersih.
Last month, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee sent a notice to Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul about the status of the six MPs.
Yesterday, Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the six MPs would keep their seats despite a notice issued by the party.
He said he had received a letter from the speaker on Tuesday about the matter.
Today, the six rebels said their fate lay with the speaker, not Perikatan Nasional.
Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman, one of the six, said Johari's decision was final.
Suhaili said they would continue serving their constituencies as independents.