KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says the Kelantan state assembly Speaker's decision to declare the Nenggiri seat vacant proved the party's recent constitutional amendment was lawful.
Muhyiddin said the Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah's decision was in line with Kelantan State Constitution which allows for a state seat to be vacated if the incumbent ceases to be a member of his party.
"This provision is in line with the anti-hopping law under the Federal Constitution," Muhyiddin said in a statement."
He said it also showed that Bersatu's constitutional amendment about party hopping and the notices sent out to its rebel elected representatives, were lawful.
"Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional are ready to face a by-election for the Nenggiri seat."
Earlier today, Amar declared the Nenggiri seat vacant after he received a notice that assemblyman, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim ceased to be a Bersatu member.
Amar said the seat was vacated in accordance with Article 31 (A) of the Kelantan constitution.
On June 12, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said six elected representatives ceased to be members of the party for violating Bersatu's constitution.
Last year, six Bersatu MPs 'went rogue'. They include Azizi who is also Gua Musang MP, Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).