SHAH ALAM: One of the seven Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia elected representatives who declared their support for the unity government wants the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to take action against the party.
Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari made the call, claiming that Bersatu had amended the party constitution without the approval of the RoS.
The former Selangor Bersatu chairman claimed that in 2021, Bersatu amended Clause 7.2 of the party constitution regarding membership without discussing the matter in its Supreme Leadership Council meeting, the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), or the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
"In 2019, Clause 7.2 (of the party constitution) defined an ordinary party member as a Malaysian aged 18 years and above.
"However, in 2021, the same clause defined members as Malaysians who are either Pribumi or Muslim Malaysians aged 18 and above.
"This is what I am questioning. The amendment was made without approval from the RoS. It is unclear when this amendment to the clause was made," he said in an interview with the New Straits Times and Harian Metro at his office here today.
Abdul Rashid, who was previously a lawyer, claimed that Bersatu, therefore, violated Section 11 of the Societies Act 1966, which states that no registered society shall change its name or place of business, or amend its rules without the prior approval of the Registrar, and an application for any such change or amendment of its rules shall be made to the Registrar within 60 days from the date of the decision to make the change or the amendment.
The dispute surrounding the amendment to Clause 7.2, said Abdul Rashid, is among three issues raised by him when he responded to the notice sent by Bersatu for all of its elected representatives to declare their stance.
"I have replied to the notice (that was sent by the Supreme Council), in which I raised three questions. My questions were simple, but they were left unanswered," he said.
The other questions raised by Abdul Rashid in his response included details on the members sitting in the Supreme Council meeting held on May 14 before the party issued the notice to all of its elected representatives.
"Both of my questions concern two members of the Supreme Council whose membership can be questioned because they are not ordinary members as required under the constitution (of the party),"
If all the questions raised by him are true, Abdul Rashid said this means the directive letter sent to him is invalid.
It was reported that all Bersatu representatives were given 14 days until May 31 to state their stand after the seven elected representatives declared their support for the unity government.
Apart from Abdul Rashid, the other Bersatu elected representatives who declared their support for the unity government are Bukit Gantang member of Parliament Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal ; Zahari Kechik (Jeli); Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang) and Mohd Azizi Mohd Naim (Gua Musang).
Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr. Ronald Kiandee said memberships of the seven elected representatives have automatically ceased after they failed to adhere to the party's directive.