KUALA KUBU BAHARU: Former Bersatu Selangor Leadership Council chief Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari has came down to Kuala Kubu Baharu to support the unity government campaign for the by-election.
The Selat Klang assemblyman, who supports Selangor Menteri Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, spoke at the Pentas Isu Semasa programme in Batang Kali on Wednesday.
He said the decision to assist Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate, Pang Sock Tao, was made after considering that no provisions in the Bersatu party constitution prohibited him from doing so.
He said it was also motivated by the effective governance achievements of the Selangor government, besides believing that Pang could be a good elected representative if given the mandate tomorrow.
"I have checked the Bersatu constitution. There is no clause or provision stating that members can be disciplined for participating in any talks (ceramah).
"They can expel me if I leave the party and support another party, but there is no provision preventing me from speaking at any talks, whether with the unity (government) or Bersatu. That's why I dare to come here.
"I also don't mind if Perikatan Nasional (PN) wants to make my presence here tonight as (some issue in) their campaign. Please, no problem," he said, adding that Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi, also supported the unity government campaign around Kuala Kubu Baharu.
Rashid had declared his support for Amirudin's leadership and admitted it was done willingly without any coercion after considering the Selangor Sultan's praise for the state government's administration being on the right track, for the progress of the state and the welfare of the people.
He said the move was also made due to several series of actions by PN, especially PN Selangor, which was alleged to have remained silent against insults thrown at Malay rulers.
On nother development, Rashid said they had not received any notice from Bersatu following his support for Amirudin's administration.
"Let's say the Bersatu Disciplinary Board finds me guilty and expels me. They only expel my membership (in Bersatu), and not my position as a state assemblyman.
"The power to vacate the State Assembly seat lies with the Speaker of the State Assembly. Therefore, they (Bersatu) need to write to the Speaker to ask me to vacate the seat, but if they say it can't be done, then it can't be done.
"Because there was a previous case in Sabah, involving four State Assemblymen similar to me, and when their case was brought to court, the judge ruled that it was not within the court's jurisdiction, but rather the Speaker of the State Assembly.
"I think this previous case in Sabah is why they didn't send me any notice. Therefore, I will continue my duties as the Selat Klang assemblyman as per usual," he said.