KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and four other Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia co-founders and parliamentarians have been sacked from the party, according to letters made available to the New Straits Times.
The letters, that were shared with the NST by party sources stated that the removal was to be effective immediately.
Aside from Dr Mahathir who is also the Langkawi MP, the others are Dr Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam), Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar), Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu) and former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun), who was also Bersatu's No.2.
"You have informed the Dewan Rakyat Speaker that you will not be sitting on the government's side during the Dewan Rakyat session.
"During the May 18 Dewan Rakyat session, you sat at the opposition bloc which does not support the Perikatan Nasional government under Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who is also Bersatu president and chairman.
"Hence, based on Article 10.2.2 and 10.2.3 of the Bersatu constitution, your membership is revoked with immediate effect," the letters said to each MPs.
The letters were signed by Bersatu executive secretary Capt (Rtd) Muhammad Suhaimi Yahya.
This came amid a growing discord among party members due to a split in Bersatu where one faction declares loyalty to Dr Mahathir and the other with Muhyiddin.
It was reported that Suhaimi had confirmed the authenticity of the letters.
"The letters issued by the executive secretary are valid and it (the issuance) was done according to the powers provided to us," he told Berita Harian.